Khalid Aucho (foreground) training with Gor Mahia in Nairobi on Tuesday, October 13, 2015. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya
NAIROBI, October 13 – Gor Mahia assistant head coach, John ‘Bobby’ Ogolla has urged his charges to give 100 percent when they take on Kisumu outfit Palos FC in their Wednesday’s GOtv Shield Round of 16 clash at Kasarani.
Ogolla, is wary of a huge upset after seeing defending champions Sofapaka and fellow titans Tusker FC bundled out of the domestic cup competition by second tier sides, Administration Police and Nzoia United.
The three time back-to-back SportPesa Premier League champions are likely to miss services of lethal attacker Michael Olunga, Ugandan Godfrey Walusimbi, Burundian defender Karim Nizigiyimana and Rwandese left-back Abuoba Sibomana.
Olunga, could be rested after playing for Harambee Stars in their 2018 World Cup preliminary round qualifier against Mauritius, Walusimbi is injured while Nizigiyimana and Sibomana are away on international duty.
“Tomorrow’s (Wednesday) game against Palos will not be easy because small teams are the most difficult sides since you play with the unknown. If we take them lightly, they can shame us.
“Being a one off game, it can be disastrous if we don’t give our all. When you go to play a team like Tusker it’s motivating but a team like Palos by the time you wake up the game is over if you start badly,” the former Gor and Harambee Stars player outlined.
SportPesa/SJAK Player of the Month for September, Meddie Kagere, is hoping to inspire his side keep their treble hunt alive but underlined they will not underrate their opponents.
“We always focus on one game at a time. I always rate all teams strong because when I’m facing them, I see them better than me and only consider them small when I win.
“We will take Palos match as serious as we have done with the rest,” the Ugandan born former Rwandese international underscored.
A win against Palos will seal a quarterfinals place as they look to claim the trophy they last clinched in 2012 under then head coach, Zdravko Logarusic, who is now with their bitter rivals AFC Leopards.
With Gor inching closer to another their historic milestone of finishing the season unbeaten, Ogolla hailed the class of 2015 as modern greats having wrapped the league without losing with four matches to go.
“I have played for Gor all that time and there is no season we went unbeaten but chances are high will finish the league unbeaten.
“We have crucial games remaining against Tusker who are not performing well but I know the game against us will not be easy the same with Sofapaka, Muhoroni Youth and Western Stima,” the Gor legend who was nicknamed ‘six dollar man’, explained.
K’Ogalo will face Tusker in the KPL Top 8 knockout semi-finals in what will be revenge against the Brewers who eliminated them twice at the same stage in that competition.