Can AFC succeed where Gor failed?
Forget about Gor Mahia’s faithful fuming over the decision by the management to interdict deputy coach Sammy “Pamzo” Omollo who has since joined Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League debutants Kenya Police.
Also forget about four ex- Gor players, including Musa Mohammed, Haroun Shakava, Francis Kahata and Cliffton Miheso having joined the law enforcers who parted ways with their immediate former trainer John“Bobby”Ogolla over indifferent results.
Omollo, who had an illustrious playing career at East Bengal in India before venturing into coaching duties, is unapologetic in the immediate charm he has instilled in Police barely a week into his new job.
Under the stewardship of Omollo in Kisumu last weekend, Police surprised many not least themselves when they stunned Gor 2-0 and this is a record the experienced tactician is hell-bent to uphold.
As Police take on Leopards at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday, Omollo, who is credited as a good reader of the game, was bullish in as much as he was economical with his words ahead of Sunday’s duel.
“This is Kenya Police FC and I have just come on board. I am doing my part. Let’s just wait and see,” offered the former Harambee Stars combative defender.
Having played in several Mashemeji Derbies while turning out for Gor during fierce battles against Leopards, Omollo knows too well the weaknesses of the felines which he hopes to use to the advantage of the law enforcers.
Omollo seemingly has the arsenal to deliver and perhaps one of the players worth mentioning in his battalion is Clinton Kinanga who is rumoured to be closely monitored by scouts from as far as Zambia, Rwanda and Tanzania.
Then there is the full of running midfielder Kahata whom the grapevine says has sent Congolese side TP Mazembe, Djoliba of Mali and even Enyimba of Nigeria drooling over his services. Speaking soon after helping Police beat Gor, Pamzo said he was delighted with the win, praising Kahata for his industrious work during his first 90 minutes in many games.
“I was surprised with how good the boys played today. To play so perfect, defend and attack smoothly against a formidable side like Gor shows growth,” he said.
He added: “We created a lot of goal scoring chances and we pressed them well forcing them to play in their half which did not pose any threat to us. Overall great performance after just a week together.”
Meanwhile, Gor will be out to put behind them the disappointment of the defeat by the Police when they take on Wazito at Narok Stadium today.
Gor coach Andreas Spiers is expected to lean heavily on the likes of Onsong George “Blackberry” Odhiambo, Peter Lwasa, Benson Omala, Samuel Onyango and Congolese Sando Yangayay for positive results.
