Cancelled derby paves way for Gor Cup action

Football Kenya Federation has rescheduled the Shield Cup match between Mombasa-based club SS Assad and Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions Gor Mahia FC.

The match which had been set for June 2 has been pushed a week early to Sunday, as K’Oglo will not be having a league commitments.

In a letter signed by FKF CEO Robert Muthomi and addressed to his Gor Mahia counterpart Ludovick Aduda, the federation requested the club to adjust despite the short notice.

“Owing to our teams participation in the upcoming Super Cup set to begin on June 3 and in the view of the fact that your club won’t be engaged in any league match this weekend, we wish to inform you that we have moved to reschedule your round one Shield match against SS Assad to Sunday 27, at KPA Sports Club Mbaraki, read part of the letter.

The move follows the postponement of the league match between AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia, that was set to for Saturday at the Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega.

According to Aduda, Gor is ready to face Assad even without the key players who are in Harambee Stars camp under head coach Sebastian Migne.

“We agreed, because after postponement of the Mashemeji Derby, we were left without any duty this weekend. Knowing we have a lot of matches ahead of us in different competitions, we saw the sense to reduce them starting with this one.

“Of course we some of our players are in Harambee Stars camp but we talked to our technical bench and they told us they have enough strength for the match,” noted Aduda.

Gor is the busiest club in the country this season, with KPL, Shield, Super Cup, CECAFA Club Championship and CAF Confederations Cup assignments lined up for them.

Notably, the club was engaged in Hull City Challenge matches by its shirt sponsor, further adding into their already congested matches.

The Assad match will kick off at 3:00pm EAT (+3GMT).