Limping Gor prepare for crunch CR Belouizdad tie
Struggling Gor Mahia are readying themselves for a fight of their lives as they look into tomorrow’s CAF Champions League rematch against Algerian side CR Belouizdad at Nyayo Stadium.
With all odds stacked against them after a 6-0 drubbing in the first leg in Algiers on December 26 last year, K’Ogalo are seeking to not embarrass themselves in Nairobi with their opponents already in town.
Currently the team is 14th in the premiership log with three points and four matches in hand.
The 43-man foreign contingent arrived Sunday and will have a training session at Utalii Grounds today ahead of the return game easily in their favour.
The 19-time Kenyan champions are heavily disadvantaged and have only trained as a group for three days given their financial woes which have thereby resulted in a series of go-slows.
On Friday and Saturday, only about nine players showed up for training with fans having to foot some expenses including transportation in what is turning out to be a complete farce even as the club honchos remain mum on the problems affecting the organisation.
There is low morale in the squad with most of the players’ bonuses and salaries being delayed and all eyes are on club chairman Ambrose Rachier who is reportedly under pressure with club faithful accusing him and his executive council of ineptitude.
With all that in play, the opponents will be at ease knowing fully well that they face an unprepared side that have distractions.
However Club CEO Raymond Oruo believes the players will have to pull up their socks and be real professionals.
“On paper, it is a no-brainer that with a first leg 6-0 loss, we are out but in football it is not over until the final whistle.
I expect them to act as professionals and put up a fight. We are at home and certainly they must be able to give a good performance.
I know there are distractions and times are hard in our club but we are trying to make things better in the New Year.
All is not lost and so we must believe that things can change for us,” he told People Sport on phone.
