Mashemeji Derby: Gor Mahia predicted XI for AFC Leopards showdown

FKFPL Mashemeji Derby: Gor Mahia predicted XI for AFC Leopards showdown

Kiplagat Sang • 16:16 - 13.05.2023

Pulse Sports predicts a probable line-up that K’Ogalo will deploy against their arch-rivals.

Gor Mahia will host AFC Leopards on Sunday at Nyayo Stadium for a crucial Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) match.

K’Ogalo need points to boost their chances of winning the title, whereas Ingwe, outside the title contention after points deduction and a not-so-good run, will, however, want to win and enjoy the derby bragging rights.

With that in mind, both coaches  – Johnathan McKinstry for Gor Mahia and Patrick Aussems of AFC Leopards – are set to parade their strongest starting XIs.

The last meeting between them ended in a goalless draw, and McKinstry is under pressure to win.

The pressure on the K’Ogalo coach stems from two major reasons; he needs the points to keep the title dream alive and also wants to see his side win and maintain their dominance over Ingwe in the recent past.

Leopards' last won a league game against Gor Mahia in 2016, and this is a record that McKinstry will hope to keep. Should K’Ogalo fall, McKinstry’s position – when debating the best-ever coaches to take charge of the record champions, will always get a negative analysis depending on the derby result.

McKinstry is expected to stick with his big guns, who have done a diligent job in the past.

Gad Mathews is expected to take charge of the goalkeeping duties as he looks to keep a second consecutive clean sheet.

Geoffrey Ochieng has made the left-back position his own and will be expected to be deployed there. When attacking, he has always provided the numbers up front, giving Gor Mahia an advantage in such situations.

In the middle, Ernest Wendo, for physicality and experience, should be lined up, and Alpha Onyango should be deployed to play alongside Wendo.

Austin Odhiambo is expected to be the attacking midfielder, and the former AFC Leopards star has been undertaking his duties with creativity and top-level precision.

George Odhiambo should operate from the flanks, while Benson Omala – a dependable goal scorer for the title-chasing Gor – should lead the attacks.

Gor Mahia predicted XI

Gad Mathews, Philemon Otieno, Geoffrey Ochieng, Dennis Ng’ang’a, Emery Bayisenge, Ernest Wendo, Alpha Onyango, George Odhiambo, Austin Odhiambo, Boniface Omondi, and Benson Omala.