Gor Mahia head coach Jose Marcelo (left) with assistant coach Tom Ogweno (right) during Saturday’s friendly against Posta Rangers.PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu.
NAIROBI, March 27- Gor Mahia head coach Jose Marcelo Ferreira says his charges have grasped the new philosophy as he eyes a dream start with the champions when the SportPesa Premier League resumes next weekend.
The former Brazilian right-back, nick-named Ze Maria has been taking the team through training for the past two-weeks since taking over from Scotsman Frank Nuttall and is confident to take the 2015 unbeaten champions back to winning ways.
“The players have shown hunger and I am happy with the group that I have. I think they are good players who can help us move forward. We pass the ball better and keep possession.”
“There are few areas we will improve but I believe we will be a different outfit when the league resumes,” Marcelo stated.
He was speaking after leading his side to a 1-0 win over fellow Premier League club Posta Rangers at the Camp Toyoyo Grounds on Saturday.
Substitute Edmond Murai scored the lone goal in the second half after rounding off keeper Patrick Matasi in a match where K’Ogalo missed their international players who are on duty with the national football team Harambee Stars.
“We needed a tough friendly before the league resume to gauge our fitness. It was impressive to see the players give a good fight despite it being a build-up match,” Marcelo added.
Gor are winless in their first five matches and sit in unfamiliar 12th position on four points from four draws.
K’Ogalo travel to newcomers Kakamega Homeboyz next week Saturday in Mumias.
Posta head coach Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno was impressed with the output his side gave in the friendly pointing out he wanted to check out the physical fitness of his players.
“It was impressive because after going for almost two weekends without a match, we needed to play a high tempo game to keep us in check because we have a very tough game coming up on Wednesday. The players have shown they are still in it and hopefully, we keep the consistency,” Otieno said.
The recently promoted side faces Sony Sugar on Wednesday at the Ruartaka complex and will be hoping to bounce back from their loss to Kakamega Homeboyz in their last league match.
