All teams are looking forward for a good start with Yanga making a
return after a two year absence and Gor Mahia keen to amend last year's
early exit
Both teams have won the competition five times and they will be looking forward to win this year’s edition to match Simba SC, who have won the regional event for a record six times.
The Tanzanian champions have just won a twenty six round Vodacom Premier League with Gor Mahia currently unbeaten at home after eighteen rounds. Yanga returns after a two year absence with compatriots Gor Mahia making it two out of two in this 40th edition which will be hosted by Tanzania.
The two sides clashed in the 1976 finals with Gor Mahia claiming a 2-1 victory to clinch their first ever regional trophy before defending it successfully a year later. These teams last met in this competition nineteen years ago with Gor Mahia winning 4-0.
| PLAYERS TO WATCH |
The hosts will rely on Haruna Niyonzima, Simon Msuva, Nadir Haroub na Amissi Tambwe. Msuva finished the season with seventeen goals, three ahead of compatriot Tambwe, who finished second. The two have formed a good chemistry between them which saw Yanga cruise at home. Donald Ngoma is another player who will cause havoc if given chance; he has shown great potential after joining from Zimbabwe’s FC Platinum. In contrast to their opposition, who have recorded five defeats on their way to claiming their 20th league title, Gor Mahia’s current form is incomparable. The team has not tasted defeat since early April when they lost by a solitary goal away to AC Leopards of Congo Brazzaville in Caf Champions League.
Ali Abondo, Michael Olunga and Meddie Kagere have been the driving force behind K’ogalo’s recent run, scoring 31 goals between them. They will try to replicate their form in this competition to erase last editions sores that saw the fourteen times Kenyan champions exit at group stage.
| PROBABLE LINE-UP |
Yanga FC: Deogratias Munish "Dida", Mbuyu Twite, Oscar Joshua, Nadir Haroub "Cannavaro"(C), Kelvin Yondani "Cotton", Hamis Thabit, Saimon Msuva, Haruna Niyonzima, Donald Ngoma, Amissi Tambwe and Hamisi Issa. Gor Mahia: Boniface Oluoch “Abawa”, Godfrey Walusimbi, Karim Niyizigimana, Musa Mohammed, Haron Shakava, Collins 'Gattuso' Okoth, Meddie Kagere, Khalid Aucho, Michael Olunga, Ali 'Teargas' Abondo and George 'Blackberry' Odhiambo.
| PREDICTION |
It will be a difficult match for both sides, with the attacking ruthlessness possessed by each side, goals are a guarantee. However, the Kenyan side have a chance of maintaining their run against the Tanzanian giants if history is anything to go by. Yanga 1-3 Gor Mahia
No comments:
Post a Comment