Posta Rangers Jockins Atudo shields Gor Mahia Enock Agwanda.PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya
NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 12- Posta Rangers head coach Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno says there is nothing special in his side’s match against league holders Gor Mahia on Sunday as he gets his side ready to face a team he coached and played for in the past.
The experienced tactician has chosen to ease pressure of the shoulders of his players, saying they will prepare for the match just in the same way they do for others despite meeting a top side, often pushed to three points by their ever present 12th men.
“We respect Gor Mahia of course because they are a top side and the defending champions but for us, there is nothing special with this game. We are preparing just like any other because we would not want to put ourselves in unnecessary pressure,” the coach offered.
Posta have endured a tough patch dipping all the way to 10th despite a strong start that had seen them dance in within the top five for most parts of the first leg.
The side’s last win was on May 22, enduring a run of six winless matches, four draws and two losses but Otieno is unfazed despite the run.
“If you look at the difference between us and the fifth placed team, it’s only three points. For us we are not worried about our position on the table. We have been playing well over those matches only that we have been a bit unlucky,” the former Harambee Stars tactician said.
The first leg between these two sides ended in a 1-1 draw and Otieno expects a tougher encounter bearing in mind the defending champions will be in dire need of points.
Gor have won only once in the last four matches and are four points off leaders Tusker, a scenario that has built immense pressure around the Gor fold as they eye a record 16-th league title.
“There is a lot of pressure, we can’t lie about that. We know there is so much expectation on us and we know how tough it is especially now in the second leg when every team is out to get points. We expect it tough against Posta because they are a good team as well. Our target is to go and bounce back into a win,” Gor Mahia captain Musa Mohammed told Capital Sport.
Two barren draws back-to-back have exposed K’Ogalo’s soft underbelly of lacking creativity upfront and despite the much publicized ‘twin attacking towers’ partnership of Meddie Kagere and Jacques Tuyisenge, the goals have not been coming.
The departure of midfielder Khalid Aucho has been hugely felt, but head coach Jose Marcelo Ferreira does not admit his side is short.
Against a potentially fast attacking, strong midfield, astute defending Posta, Gor need to bring their A game to the Nyayo Stadium on Sunday.
Posta have been buoyed by the return of striker Timothy Otieno who has been out with injury for the last three months, but he will be intelligible to play as he is currently on loan from Gor.
“His return is definitely a huge boost for us especially noting he is our top scorer. He will come in handy next week and hopefully he can help our scoring front,” Otieno said.
Posta has scored only two goals in the last five matches, a stat that means Otieno’s return is a huge boost for them.
