Beleaguered Congo United vow to defeat K'Ogalo'

By Robin Toskin

Congo United have declared they would go for broke and not bury their heads in the sand against Gor Mahia on Saturday at City Stadium if only to save their calamitous Kenyan Premier League debut season.

The coast-based league first-timers are in danger of sliding back to the Nationwide League.

But after a two-week break to allow for international football, Congo United believe the break has done them some good as they embark on the treacherous nine matches left to the end of the season.

Congo United veteran goalkeeper Evans "Jado" Omondi and coach Juma Abdallah were united in the belief they can cause Gor Mahia problems.

"At this point, there is no otherwise. We have nine matches to save our Premier League life," Omondi told FeverPitch.

And coach Abdallah said: "At least we have something to fight for. A chance to correct everything wrong we did from the begining of the season."

The club owned by transport mogul Fadhil Bayusuf is rooted at the bottom of the KPL table with 14 points but still believe they can beat Gor Mahia.

"We ran them close in Mombasa drawing 2-2 and who said we cannot go ahead and beat them in Nairobi? It is a question of self belief and this team (Congo United) has it," Abdallah said.

Congo United beat Gor Mahia 11-10 on penalties in the FK Cup, in a knockout competition K’Ogalo were later allowed to continue as "Best Losers."

Abdallah is happy he has not injury worries, except for offensive midfielder David Kalume who could miss the rest of the season with an injury.

Gor Mahia striker Wycliffe Ochomo will face his former employers after moving from Congo United in June.

The coastals will hope for a good outing at the City Stadium, a pitch that they were slaughtered 4-0 by KCB on April 17.

With strikers Kevin Ngugi, Mohamed Bazenga, Michael Ezeanadu and midfielder Maurice Dukuly yet to hit the right notes Abdallah hopes the quartet will come good sooner rather than later.

Gor Mahia could welcome back striker Edwin Lavatsa who hit a brace in FK Cup’s "Game of the Losers" in their 3-1 win over West Sugar on Sunday.

K’Ogalo are five points behind leaders Tusker and would not contemplate a draw, leave alone a defeat if they have to make up for the lost ground.