Gor Mahia head coach Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno is confident his side can start 2025 on a winning note when they face fierce rivals Tusker FC this Saturday at the Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos.
Currently sitting third on the Kenya Premier League (KPL) log with 24 points, Gor Mahia trail Tusker by just three points.
The Brewers, level on points with table-toppers KCB, are equally determined to keep their grip on the summit.
Otieno has assured fans of a revitalised approach this year, attributing his optimism to the improved recovery periods between fixtures.
“Now focus turns to the next round of League fixtures starting with the game this weekend. This year, fans can expect a different Gor. With four to five days of preparation between matches, our performance on the pitch will improve,” Otieno stated.
Gor head into the showdown riding the wave of a two-game winning streak. A commanding 3-0 victory over Ulinzi Stars on December 18 — courtesy of goals from Samuel Kapen, Rooney Onyango, and Austine Odhiambo.
They followed it up with a hard-fought 1-0 triumph over Kariobangi Sharks four days later, sealed by Gideon Bendeka’s decisive strike.
History, however, leans in K’Ogalo’s favour, having completed a league double over Tusker last season with both encounters ending in identical 1-0 score-lines.
The Brewers, however, are not to be underestimated. Fresh from a convincing 3-1 victory over Posta Rangers, with goals from Ryan Ogam, Thomas Teka and Charles Momanyi, Tusker arrive in Machakos full of belief and purpose.
The tactician believes the Christmas break offered his charges sufficient time to rest and recover.
“We have rested enough after playing eight matches in 21 days. We manoeuvred very well and managed to get as many points as possible,” Otieno noted.
Their ultimate goal is to ensure they retain their title and fend off stiff competition. “I am confident we have a very strong team which is more than capable of retaining the title this year,” he added.
Last season, K’Ogalo claimed the
KPL title after amassing 73 points
with Tusker second ( 65 ).
