Stakes will be high when Gor Mahia takes on Zamalek in a Caf Confederation Cup Group D match away in Egypt on Sunday.
First, both teams are separated by just a point and defeat for either side will be a disaster considering the fact that table toppers Hussein Dey might book a place in the quarters if they register a win against Petro Atletico of Angola.
On the other hand, Zamalek will be going for revenge, having lost 4-2 to K’Ogalo in their trip to Nairobi four weeks ago. A defeat will seal the fate of Swiss coach Christian Gross. K’Ogalo are second in a crowded Group D, with only three points separating the top team and Petro Atletico at the basement.
But of utmost concern for Gor Mahia and coach Hassan Oktay will be a poor away record that saw them surrender the lead - having suffered a 1-0 defeat in Algeria last weekend.
Goal Kenya.
K’Ogalo’s record on the road is quite disturbing, to say the least. The slim lose to Hussein Dey was Gor Mahia’s fourth defeat away from home this season. Out of the last four away matches played in this competition, the Kenyan champions’ best result was a 0-0 draw away in Cameroon against New Star.
This season, however, Gor Mahia managed one victory outside Kenya, a 4-3 penalty shootout triumph against Nyasa Big Bullets in the preliminary round of the Caf Champions League in Malawi.
The poor away record saw them drop to the second tier competition after they were held to a barren draw by New Star. Before that, Gor Mahia surrendered a 3-1 lead picked at home when they lost to Nigerian outfit Lobi Stars 2-0 away.
In the Group stages, Oktay’s men went down 2-1 to Angolan side Petro Atletico and they fell flat to Hussein Dey in Algiers last Sunday.
Goal Kenya.
If history is anything to go by, then another chilling evening awaits K’Ogalo fans on Sunday, though they have a chance to rewrite the history pages.
Against Hussein Dey, Gor Mahia found the back of the net courtesy of Shafik Batambuze but the goal was controversially ruled out by Malian referee Boubou Traore.
Coach Oktay is now adamant that they have moved on after what they went through in Algeria and are focused on getting a decent result against Zamalek. “We have another huge task ahead of us and I have asked my players to remain focused.
"We had a chance to get a win or at least a draw in Algeria but it never worked out. We want to remain focused and try to get something from Zamalek," Oktay told Goal in an interview from Cairo.
"They are a good side and will be oozing with confidence having won their last match in the group, coupled with the fact that they are playing at home.”
The top two teams in the group will progress to the next round.
