Gor Mahia departed for Angola on Tuesday morning for Wednesday’s Caf Confederation Cup Group D fixture against hosts Petro Atletico at 11th November Stadium.
Speaking to Kahawa Tungu sports desk before the 4 hours 5 minutes flight to Luanda, K’Ogalo boss Hasan Oktay said that he expects a “good and attractive” game against the record Angolan champions.
The Cypriot further praised the opponents as “strong, quick, organized and look very dangerous.”
“I have watched them so far three times; very strong, quick and organized team. They lost 2-1 to NA Hussein Day – deflected goals from set pieces but they look very dangerous even in the local derby they lost but missed a lot of chances.
“Anyway it’s going to be attractive and good game and I’m looking forward,” said Oktay, who masterminded a historic 4-2 win against five times African champions Zamalek of Egypt in their group opener in Nairobi.
Petro are winless in their last two competitive games – losing 2-1 away to NA Hussein Day away in Algeria and 1-0 to domestic rivals Premeiro de Agosto in the Girabola derby on Saturday.
Nonetheless, the club remains one of Girabola’s leading lights and are currently third in the 16-team league – six points behind leaders de Agosto with two matches at hand.
They have won four of their last five continental games at home, scoring 12 goals in the process with one match ending in a draw.
Some of the team’s notable players includes Va’, who is on loan at the club from Portugal, Brazilian duo Tiago Azulao, a two-time Girabola top scorer and Tony, who has enjoyed a good form recently.
Skipper and playmaker Job is also a player to watch in the coach Beto Bianchi’s side so is midfielder Herenilson, a national team player.
Beto has come under fire with some fans calling for his head following the two loses on the trot. His keeper Gerson is also under pressure after his mistake led to the derby loss.
Read: We Haven’t Been Lucky In Front Of Goal – Gor Coach Hassan Oktay
Gor Mahia heads into the tie against a back drop of three back to back wins including a 2-0 victory in the 85th Mashemeji Derby where they routinely silenced arch rivals AFC Leopards on Saturday.
However, they will miss the services of some of their dependable players like defender Philemon Otieno and Rwandan forward Jacques Tuyisenge, who scored a brace against Zamalek, with suspensions.
Inspirational Dennis Oliech, who was also on the mark against the White Knights and holding midfielder Ernest Wendo are also out of the tie with various injuries, so is defender Wellington Ochieng’ who is recovering from a malarial bout.
Midfielder Lawrence Juma despite traveling is racing against time to pass a late fitness test.
Oktay remains largely positive regardless of the setbacks and in his parting shot he said; “one thing they don’t know about K’Ogalo Sirkal.”
The game will kick-off at 7.00pm Kenyan time and will be aired LIVE on Supersport 4 on DSTV.
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