Gor Mahia, Police FC focus on KPL title after CAF continental beating in Egypt

Record 21-time Kenya Premier League (KPL) champions Gor Mahia will start their title defense against Mathare United at Machakos Stadium on Saturday 28 September 2024.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) cup winners Police FC will face a sterning test against Tusker FC at Police Complex.

KO’gallo and Police missed the first three weeks of KPL action while on duty in the CAF competitions. 

KO’gallo fell 3-0 to Al Ahly in Cairo for a 6-0 aggregate score in the CAF Champions League second round preliminary, while Police lost  2-1 and  3-1 on aggregate to Zamalek in the Confederations Cup.

While pundits and football fans were badly disappointed with the results Gor Mahia recorded, one man who has battled in the hostile North Africa environment for years isn’t appalled at all.

KO’gallo captain Philemon Otieno believes they did their best and commends his troops for defending the Kenyan flag with all they had.

“We were just returning to the continental stage after three years and we played against the best in Africa.  Ahly are the defending champions and are on another level, they punished all our mistakes in the first leg and we learned our lessons. We have to be proud of ourselves,” Otieno said.

KO’gallo will face a familiar Mathare United who have always been a hard nut to crack, and despite just returning to the top flight after testing NSL last season Otieno expects a tough battle against the slum boys led by experienced Gaffer John Kamau.

“Mathare has always been a tricky customer and we have to be at our best to get maximum points from them. We are training well in preparation for the battle each as we seek maximum points but we expect a tough battle,” Otieno added.

Gor have no new injury scares save for goalkeeper Kelvin Omondi who suffered a shoulder injury that saw Gad Mathews slot in against Ahly last wekend.

Gor also welcomed back their former striker Samuel Onyango who rejoined from Police, after s stint in with  Zambian side Kabwe Warriors.

Meanwhile Police FC captain Musa Mohammed who formerly captained Gor Mahia to multiple league titles including the 2015 season unbeaten, rued missed chances against the Egyptians.

“We were the better side in Nairobi and we would have completed the tie at Nyayo Stadium had we taken our chances, but we didn’t and ended up crashing out to a beatable side. We are back home and will be seeking victory against another title contender Tusker FC, I am confident we can beat them but we expect a tough match,” captain Musa said.

Police expect midfielder Brian Musa to return from an ankle injury

KO'gallo are chasing their record extening 22nd  KPL league title, while the law enforcers are seeking their maiden title at the back of clinching their first. domestic title last season.

Despite being only matched on day four,  former Harambee stars head coach Jacob Ghost Mulee has tipped Gor Mahia to defend their  KPL title, but tips Police FC to push them to the limits after the management laid down good structures, backed by good signings.