NO MORE PRESSURE: Gor Mahia seeking to open lead at the top of KPL log

Victor Majjid (left) of Bandari FC shoots past Gor Mahia's Harun Shakava during their Kenyan Premier League match at the Mombasa Municipal Stadium on March 30,2014. [PHOTO:PIC-CENTRE]

Kenyan Premier League defending champions Gor Mahia have a chance to open up a four-point gap and cement their stay at the top of the table when they host Bandari at the City Stadium, today.

With second-placed Sofapaka not engaged in any mid-week action, K’Ogalo are hoping to capitalise on this advantage and take their points tally to 50.

Although Gor are wary of the threat posed by the dockers, goalkeeper trainer Mathew Owino Ottomax insists there is no extra pressure on the hosts after being motivated by last weekend’s 2-0 victory over Chemelil Sugar.

MAXIMUM POINTS

“It’s long since we picked maximum points, but last weekend’s win against Chemelil really motivated the boys and everybody is in high spirits. The pressure is now over and we have advised the players to enjoy the game and leave the pressure on us (technical bench),” said Ottomax.

“The league is entering the homestretch and we are strategising game by game. We cannot afford to drop any more points if we want to retain the title because any slip-ups will cost us dearly. Bandari are no pushovers, but we are going for nothing short of victory. We will just play our game and the results will tell,” he added.

“I left Gor in 1996 to join AFC Leopards without winning a title with them as a player, but my return to the technical bench is a perfect opportunity for me to win the title,” recalled the Harambee Stars keeper trainer.

However, for Bandari head coach Twahir Muhiddin they are counting on history as the dockers have proved to be a bogey team for Gor since losing 1-0 to the league leaders in the 1986 Moi Golden (now Gotv Shield) final.

“We expect a tough but entertaining match. But going by history, we have proved to be a hard nut for Gor to crack since 1986 and it is my hope that history will repeat itself and get a double against them this season,” said Muhiddin.

KINGS OF DRAWS

Placed 13 in the log, Bandari have been christened the new kings of draws after recording five stalemates in a row but the former Harambee Stars coach is confident they can bounce back to the winning ways.

“Gor is a team in transition. And just like their new coach (Frank Nuttal) who is trying his methods we need every single point at this stage, but we have always posted good results against them and that’s what we must capitalise on. Since the GFC 105 match, the boys have been improving and I am optimistic of getting positive results,” added Muhiddin.

Tusker will also be in action tomorrow against Ulinzi at Nakuru’s Afraha Stadium.