Gor Mahia coach Johnathan McKinstry has shrugged off concerns that his side may slip up in the title race after seeing their lead cut to seven points following the defeat away to Bandari last weekend.
K’Ogalo lost in the FKF Premier League for just the second time this season when Fidel Origa’s 40th minute strike gave Bandari a 1-0 victory in Mombasa, having come into the match on the back of a 4-0 thrashing of Posta Rangers.
Following the defeat, Gor Mahia’s lead reduced from 10 points to seven against Bandari and Tusker, who are both on 43 points from 24 games, and with a tricky run up next, some K’Ogalo supporters have been worried about their team’s losing their big advantage.
However, McKinstry remains upbeat that Gor Mahia will maintain their top spot in the remaining 10 games to defend their title.
“Trophies are not given out in February or March, trophies are given out in May, June time and for us it is about pushing along,” said McKinstry.
“I think it is seven points now and if someone said to any team at the start of the season, would you like to be seven points in front with 10 games to go?
“We would rather still be 10 points ahead, it is seven points, we have to push on. We have difficult games coming up. Homeboyz which is always a competitive game, the derby against AFC [Leopards] and then a long away trip to Nzoia after the international break.
Tusker and Bandari have emerged as Gor Mahia’s challengers for the league crown but will need to keep winning while hoping K’Ogalo drop more points in the remaining 10 games to close in.
However, Gor Mahia’s remaining games will give McKinstry plenty of confidence as they are against teams currently struggling in the division.
Apart from seventh-placed Kakamega Homeboyz and AFC Leopards in eighth place, who they play in three of their next three games after the international break, they have meetings against bottom-placed Nzoia Sugar, Murang’a Seal, Shabana, KCB, Muhoroni Youth, Sofapaka, FC Talanta and Bidco United, matches which they are the overwhelming favourites to win.