Kenya’s Gor Mahia look to claim major scalp

by Graeme Jackson

Thursday Jan 31, 2019. 15:00

Gor Mahia will look to claim a major scalp at the start of their CAF Confederation Cup Group D campaign when they host Zamalek in Nairobi on Sunday. The match is slated for the Moi International Sports Centre, kick-off at 15h00 CAT.

Mahia claimed their place in the group stage of the second-tier continental competition after overcoming Cameroon’s New Star de Douala 2-1 on aggregate in the playoff round.

The Kenyans ‘dropped’ into the Confederation Cup after succumbing to Nigeria’s Lobi Stars only on the away goals in the top-tier CAF Champions League.

Having come so close to reaching the group phase of the premier competition, K’Ogalo and coach Hassan Oktay will be determined to put on a strong showing in the Confed Cup.

However, Oktay comes into the match under major pressure after his side’s slow start to the Kenya Premier League.

Zamalek, meanwhile, claimed their Group D berth after overcoming AS Coton Tchad (7-2 on aggregate) and Morocco’s IR Tanger (3-1 on aggregate) in the first and playoff rounds respectively.

The White Knights have been in fine form both in the Confed Cup and domestic football, where they enjoy a strong position atop the Egyptian Premier League table.

Zamalek coach Christian Gross will hope his side can find top gear for this clash away to Mahia and put them in a strong position ahead of successive home matches later in February.

The other Group D game sees Algeria’s Hussein Dey host Angola’s Petro Atletico later the same evening in Algiers, with kick-off at 21h00 CAT.

Mozambican referee Celso Alvacao will take charge of the match in Nairobi.