Bonface Osano
Gor Mahia midfielder Francis Kahata will miss today’s (Wednesday) CAF Champions League clash against Malawi’s Nyasa Big Bullets at the Kasarani Stadium.
The Kenya international is trying to seal a move to Algeria and coach Zedekiah “Zico” Otieno has excused him from the match day squad.
“Kahata is a great player who would have been a plus in this game but he won’t be available for selection.
“We have opted to give him time to work on a transfer deal he is trying to nail,” Zico, a former Gor Mahia player, said.
In his absence, Kenneth Muguna, who recently returned to the team after a short stint with KF Tirana of Albania is expected to slot in the creative role.
Equally out of the preliminary round first leg match are Ivorian forward Ephrem Guikan and Burundian Karim Nizigiyimana, who are yet to be registered for the championship.
K’Ogalo held their final training at the match venue Tuesday with Zico exuding confidence of a favorable result ahead of the return match Wednesday next week in Blantyre.
We have worked on all possible scenarios and we think they might sit back and try to hit us on the counter. We are ready for that.”
“We respect the Malawians but this is a match that we would love to get the best results because we are the home team and that means, we’ll fire from all cylinders to achieve that.
It is a knockout match and a win is very important – that’s what we are going for,” Zico, who previously coached the national team, the Harambee Stars, declared.
His equal opposite, Kalisto Pasuwa, is cautious but believes being active in the domestic league gives them a slight edge in the tie.
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The “People’s Team” have already secured the Malawian Super League with four games to spare.
“The fact that we have been active can be good thing to us but again there are lots of tired legs in the squad.
We just want the boys to have the right mentality and see what happens on Wednesday,” the Zimbabwean said.
Gor Mahia have a superior record against Malawian sides; in six previous matches, they have won three, lost one and drawn two.
The match will kick-off at 7.00pm local time. Tickets will be sold around the stadium and will go for Ksh 500/200.
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