Kerr sets up two lines of defence for USMA clash

Milton Ochieng in Algiers, Algeria 

Defender Karim Nyigiyimana is in line for his first appearance in a CAF competition this season after he was included in Gor Mahia’s starting line-up for their crunch tie against USM Alger.

Nyigiyimana justified his return to full fitness with a fine performance on Saturday when Gor defeated AFC Leopards 2-0 to wrap up the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) title race and was involved in the build-up to the second goal.

Coach Dylan Kerr has named two holding midfielders – Philemon Otieno and Ernest Wendo – to add an extra layer of defence to a back four that includes Nzigyimana, Harun Shakava, Charles Momanyi and Joash Onyango.

Humphrey Mieno and Francis Kahata are likely to play more advanced roles in midfield with the latter serving as a creative link to the attacking positions which will be filled by Jacques Tuyisenge and George Odhiambo.

Boniface Oluoch, Bernard Ondiek, Lawrence Juma, Francis Mustapha, Samwel Onyango and Wesler Onguso were named as substitutes.

Gor, who are joint-top with USM Alger in Group D of the CAF Confederation Cup Group, will be looking for a positive result in order to secure qualification to the quarter-finals.

Starting XI: Fredrick Odhiambo (GK), Karim Nzigyimana, Joash Onyango, Harun Shakava, Charles Momanyi, Ernest Wendo, Philemon Otieno, Humphrey Mieno, Francis Kahata, George Odhiambo, Jacques Tuyisenge.

Substitutes: Boniface Oluoch (GK), Lawrence Juma, Bernard Ondiek, Francis Mustapha, Samwel Onyango and Wesler Onguso.