Gor Mahia set travel date for Motema clash

Gor Mahia will jet out on Friday November 1 for the return leg of the CAF Confederation Cup play offs against DRC Congo giants Motema Pembe.

Club deputy secretary general Ronald Ngala says the government has agreed to cater for their travel to the Congolese capital Kinshasa.

“We approached the government with a request and they have given us the nod, thus we shall leave on Friday November 1,”Ngala explained.

The club boss said they expect to touch down the same day in Kinshasa at 1pm CAT, and thereafter have a feel of the pitch on Saturday before facing the rigid Central African powerhouse on Sunday November 3.

In the first leg played last Sunday at Kasarani, 10-man Gor Mahia fought to a one-all-draw despite taking the lead in the 62nd minute through Ivorian Yikpe  Ghislain.

The local giants will need at least a 1-0 win to progress to the group stages where some Sh27 million is in store.

Last season Gor made it to the quarter finals of the prestigious continental tournament.

Coach Steven Pollack seems to be under no pressure if what he said in the post match interview is anything to go by.

‘’Pressure if for the tyres, I have seen our weak areas and are going to work on all departments to ensure we get to the group stage. It is still possible,” Pollack enthused.

He will however be a bit worried about his defence following the injury of two dependable players in Shafique Batambuze and Philemon Otieno. Charles Momanyi will also miss the return leg after getting matching orders in the first leg for deliberately handling the ball in the box.

Joash Onyango was not at his best last Sunday with several blunders coming from his end. The coach will also need to work on the striking force and perhaps consider having more than one striker upfront as opposed to his strategy of one man upfront in the first leg.

Nicholas Kipkirui was deployed as the sole striker in the first half but was far from his best with the co-ordination in the midfield hot and cold.