Francis Kahata, Philemon Otieno and Joash Onyango are some of the players, who have been flourishing this season for Gor Mahia, and they have been rewarded with a call to the national team Harambee Stars.
After a massive exodus in Chemelil Sugar squad, the ‘school boys’ have the task of ensuring the team does not fall to the National Super League.
Responsibilities of guiding these youngsters has fallen to the experienced duo - Bliss Kityo and Francis Ochola. On paper, this is a game Gor Mahia is expecting to be like a walk in the park, if recent performance is anything to go by; but wait! The sugar millers managed to get a point in the first leg after the two sides played out to a 2-2 draw.
| Game | Gor Mahia vs Chemelil Sugar |
| Date | Thursday, August 16 |
| Time | 2:00pm Kenyan Time |
TV Channel, Live Stream & How To Watch
In Kenya, the game will be shown live on K24.
| DSTV channel | Free-to-air channel |
|---|---|
| NONE | K24 |
Squads & Team News
| Position | Missing players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Boniface Oluoch |
| Striker | Jacques Tuyisenge |
Goal understands that Boniface Oluoch has an ankle discomfort and will not be available, leaving Shaban Odhoji with the responsibility of manning the goal.
Next Match
Rwandan striker Jacques Tuyisenge has also been ruled out, meaning Francis Mustapha will have a chance to impress, but it is Ivorian Ephram Guikan, who is expected to line-up in the first eleven.
“His (Tuyisenge) injury hasn’t got better and will not be available. Of course it is a blow for the team and the player but we don’t want to rush him into action until he gets better.
"Another player, who is definitely out for Thursday is keeper Boniface Oluoch, he is yet to recover. We are also treating Ernest Wendo, who has a groin problem,” coach Dylan Kerr told Goal in an interview.
Probable Gor Mahia XI: Odhoji, Nizigiyimana, Onguso, Onyango, Shakava, Otieno, Wendo, Mieno, Kahata, Odhiambo and Guikan.
| Position | Missing player |
|---|---|
| NONE | NONE |
The visitors have no injury worries and according to coach Charles Odera, all players are fit and ready for the match, hoping to bag maximum points for the first time since 2009.
Probable Chemelil XI: Aimo, Wandera, Mahiga, Ombija, Mwangale, Akoko, Kityo, Omondi, Oluoch, Kwan and Ochola.
Match Preview
Gor Mahia needs eight points to be crowned champions, and they will be aiming to make it three wins in a row after that 2-1 defeat against Bandari last week.
The Dylan Kerr led side will be playing their third match in a week, with the Caf match against Rayon Sports in mind. For Chemelil, it is a survival battle against the best team in the country.
Having won just twice in nineteen previous games makes them underdogs, but that does not mean they cannot pull a surprise. After two defeats and a draw, the team managed to register back to back wins against Nzoia Sugar and Vihiga United respectively to take its tally to 27 points.
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=640&quality=60)
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=640&quality=60)
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=640&quality=60)