After losing 2-1 away at Angola’s Petro Atletico, K’Ogalo are under pressure to deliver at home as they prepare to play Algerian side Hussein Day in their third Confederation Cup fixture. Gor were forced to play the away fixture without four key players making them struggle against the home team seeking for their first win.
Former Kenyan skipper Dennis Oliech, Rwandan attacker Jacques Tuyisenge, Defensive midfielder Ernest Wendo and rightback Philemon Otieno all missed the Petro Atletico fixture. Oliech and Wendo were both out injured but Otieno and Tuyisenge were serving suspensions. Gor coach Hassan Oktay is hopeful for emulating a great result on Sunday as the players have returned and are expected to feature.
Oktay admitted that it was a huge challenge playing away but is hopeful his team will give a great performance in the home fixture as the key players will be available to play.
“It was not easy to play away minus four of your regular players. I was forced to make changes to the squad and it totally messed our plans. However, I am happy to have them back and will use them accordingly,” the tactician noted.
Oktay rested some players in Gor’s midweek KPL fixture against Western Stima which saw them drop points against Stima. Against Stima, Oktay rested Team Captain Haron Shakava, Boniface Oluoch, Shafik Batambuze, Kenneth Muguna, Boniface Omondi and Francis Kahata. The tactician is planning on winning all his home matches in the tournament hence putting much effort on Sunday’s fixture than he did against Stima.
“Our intention is to win all our home matches and we must do that on Sunday. We did it against Zamalek when everyone thought it was impossible and I can assure you that we will triumph here. The key objective is to reach the quarters and we are firmly on course.” Oktay said.
K’Ogalo have been recently tipped to clinch their third consecutive title after showing a great improvement in the league. With the Confederations cup, Gor seem to lose focus in the league as the tournament proves as big a challenge as it is an opportunity to expose players.
Should they win against Hussein Day, K’Ogalo will retain their lead in Group D as they are currently 2nd, a point behind their Sunday opponents.
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The match is scheduled for Sunday 4:00pm at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani. Hussein Day are already in the country ahead of the match.
