AFC Leopards head coach Tomas Trucha has expressed his desire to get an impressive result in Mashemeji Derby when he leads his charges against Gor Mahia on Sunday at Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi.
Trucha,re-appointed as AFC Leopards head coach in October 2023 stated the magnitude of the derby reckoning its significance in the Kenyan football calendar as well as in the continent.
‘’The mood is good,the match is a motivation on its own,you don’t need to motivate a player for such a match.Its a big fixture not only in Kenya but in Africa.For me it’s the first one, it will be a challenge to succeed’’, remarked Trucha.
AFC Leopards will face a high flying Gor Mahia who are firmly perched at the top of the standings,but Trucha is confident of walking away with a point if not all the three saying that it was difficult to predict the outcome of a derby.
‘’They are the reigning champions and lead the log and for us is to succeed and a derby has no favorite team or underdog ,it’s always fifty-fifty.its a big game we have to be ready and they will also be ready so urge the fans to come out in large numbers’’.
Trucha’s opposite number Jonathan Mckinstry could be without influential right back Rooney Onyango who sustained a minor injury against Nzoia FC last weekend.
‘’Everyone is fit.Rooney Onyango took a bad tackle last week and had to come out of the game he trained this week not quite as everyone else but we hope that he will be ready for selection on Sunday’’.
Mckinstry is also expected to field fit again forward Patrick Kadu while centre back Emery Bayisenge and Philemon Otieno remain doubts.
‘’We are probably at 80%.Almost everybody is fit.Everyone is ready to go’’.
Gor mahia will be seeking to get maximum points to inch closer to their unprecedented 21st league title.
‘’We know that every point feels like it’s worth more. We are edging towards our objective of retaining the title this weekend it will be another opportunity to move towards that and also it’s a big game and we are looking forward our supporters to rally behind us’’,Mckinstry remarked.
Gor mahia Fc captain Geofrey ‘Simiti’ Ochieng said they will give their opponents due respect but added that getting maximum points on Sunday will ease the pressure on them.
‘’We can’t underestimate any opponent in this league. it all depends how we prepare. when we win it will create some gap and will allow us to breathe and lessen the competition’’.
Benson Omalla,who is the seaon’s leading scorer with 12 goals is eyeing another fruitful outing.
‘’As a striker my main job is to score and this is a big game so if I get a chance to score I will dully do that,we want to win the league early,unlike last season’’ Omalla stated.
Match day tickets will be sold at several points which include at Kenya Cinema, Tom Mboya statue, City Stadium, Riadha House, and Nyayo Stadium opposite the Police Post Gate.
The VIP tickets are being sold at Ksh. 1000 while regular fans will have to part with Ksh 300
The tickets will be sold from 7:00 am in the morning and sale of tickets will be closed in the afternoon. Gates close at 2:30 pm.
