AFC Leopards v Gor Mahia: Kick off, TV channel, squad news & preview

BetOdds KPL Leopards v Gor Mahia Leopards Gor Mahia

The two Kenyan giants clash in a local derby, with the away team drawing closer to retaining their league title

Gone are the days when a match like this would go ahead and determine who among the two teams will win the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) title.Â

However, it is an important game considering the fact that it will bring Gor Mahia closer to a record 18th and third successive title while AFC Leopards have another chance to vindicate themselves from playing second fiddle to Kâ€™Ogalo.

In Kenya, the game will be shown live on KTN Burudani and KBC Channel One.

Ingwe have no new injury worries apart from long term absentees Ezekiel Seda and Marvin Nabwire. Club's Football Operations Manager Tom Juma is confident that his charges will register a favourable result against their nemesis.

â€œYes, in the past Gor Mahia have been better, but this is the present and we have what it takes to change what has been happening. We have a full squad to select our best team from, and that gives us the edge over them,â€ Juma told Goal on Saturday.

Probable XI for AFC Leopards: Adira, Soter, Kipyegon, Salim, Kamura, Cheche, Tsuma, Isuza, Were, Marita and Oburu.

Despite making a return to the squad, it is unlikely that Boniface Oluoch will be involved and keeper Peter Odhiambo will most likely start in goal.

Ugandan left back Batambuze is still out nursing an ankle injury. Midfielder Hashim Sempala suffered a knock against Nzoia Sugar in a midweek clash and is a doubt for the derby.

Club captain Harun Shakava is optimistic of a positive score despite the pressure involved.

â€œWe are not scared of any AFC Leopards player, because if it is quality, we have it, and this season has been good for us in terms of exposure. I am sure we will have a good game and get something from the match,â€ Shakava told Goal.

â€œYes, this is a derby, and on most occasions, players give their best because of the bragging rights. We will give our best as well and hope to carry the day. The outcome is unpredictable because of the pressure involved.â€

Probable XI for Gor Mahia: Odhiambo, Otieno, Ochieng, Shakava, Wendo, Kahata, Muguna, Kipkirui, Onyango and Tuyisenge.

Kâ€™OgaloÂ have managed three consecutive wins againstÂ IngweÂ in recent matches, pitting the two most successful clubs on Kenyan soil.

In the last three matches, two that were played in 2018 and one in 2019, all were won by the current league reigning champions who scored six goals in the process and conceded just one.

IngweÂ were able to pick their last point against Gor Mahia in August 2017 after a 1-1 draw in a match that saw Meddie Kagere get the Green Army a goal and then Samuel Ndungâ€™u scored to level the match for AFC Leopards. None of the players involved in that game features for the two sides today.Â

Since 2010 The Green Army have kept a record eight cleansheets whenever they have met with AFC Leopards.Â Ingweâ€™sÂ record on cleansheets paleÂ in comparison as they have just five to their name.

The last time they managed one in a competitive match was in 2016 when they won the match 1-0, courtesy of Lamine Dialloâ€™s effort.Â

Taking a look at the goals conceded in the last six matches, Gor Mahia once again looks supreme, having just let in two goals whileÂ IngweÂ have conceded a record 10 goals in that period.

2019-05-19 10:00:02

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