Khalid Aucho (foreground) training with Gor Mahia in a past training. FILE PHOTO PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya
NAIROBI, November 6 – Sony Sugar will be out to deny SportPesa Premier League champions, Gor Mahia another silverware this season when they clash in the Kenyan Premier League Top 8 Knockout final at Kisumu’s Moi Stadium on Saturday.
The tie was originally scheduled for 3pm but moved back by 45 minutes to pave way for a GOtv quarter-final fixture between Muhoroni Youth and Nzoia United.
Another GOtv Shield quarter-final match on Saturday will see Bandari entertain Ulinzi Stars in Mombasa.
The Top Eight Knockout final will be a battle between David and Goliath as K’Ogalo who already have two trophies in the cabinet (DStv/SuperSport Cup and SportPesa Premier League), looking to add a third while the Sugar Millers will be in search of history with their maiden title.
Sony coach Salim Babu did not shy away from expressing his delight at coming this far in the tournament saying he would attempt to go all the way and return to Awendo with the trophy.
“We have worked quite hard to get to where we are and I don’t think the boys did all that to just settle for second place. I believe they are as excited as I am about delivering the club’s first ever Top Eight trophy and they will be going for nothing short of the title.”
Winning the crown will be of added motivation to Sony who will not participate in next year’s competition as they finished 10th.
Gor who won the title in 2012, are fired up and ready for the rumble in Kisumu city against a team they collected six points from in the league this season, albeit similar, close 1-0 victories.
Gor head coach, Frank Nuttall admitted playing Sony would be difficult, but his players were up to the task.
“Playing three games in seven days is not easy for any team, but we have an important game at hand, and I have no worries. I know that the players will continue to give their best and finish the job against Sony,” he said.
Nuttall will however need to be wary of Sony’s marauding Ugandan strikers Andrew Ssekayombya and Robert Omunuk who were instrumental in Sony’s 3-1 win over Sofapaka in the semi-final second leg that saw them cruise to the finals with a comfortable 5-3 aggregate win.
Gor hard to dig deep to dispose two times back-to-back champions Tusker FC in the semis.
They needed a brace from forward Michael Olunga who now leads the goal scorer chart in the competition with three goals to enable K’Ogalo eliminate Tusker 2-1 in the semi-final second leg for a 4-3 aggregate win.
Olunga though was left with a swollen ankle after the exploits and will be racing against time to be fit for Saturday’s showdown.
Nuttal can also look to the dynamism of Ali Abondo and dangerous Rwandan Meddie Kagere together with the trickery of George “Blackberry” Odhiambo.
Top Eight Knockout past winners:
2014 – Tusker
2013 – Tusker
2012 – Gor Mahia
2011 – Ulinzi Stars
-by KPL website-
