A past Gor Mahia and Leopards action.[Photo/futaa.com]
Newly appointed Gor Mahia captain Harun Shakava is full of positive energy as the club heads to its first title of the year this weekend.
K’Ogalo, who are the reigning Kenyan Premier League champions, will face arch rivals and GOtv Shield holders AFC Leopards in the season opening KPL Super Cup at the Afraha Stadium in Nakuru on Sunday.
The league body have given notice that the match will be produced by Spanish multi-communications group MediaPro, and broadcast live on KTN.
“We are aiming for an improved campaign in all competitions this season,” said Shakava during the official launch of the fixture in Nairobi.
Shakava has taken over the captain’s arm band from the Musa Mohammed, who has gone to look for greener pastures and fortune in Albania with second tier side KF Tirana.
“This includes qualifying to play in the group stages of the (Caf Africa) Champions League. Against Leopards, we know we will win if we play well. It will improve our confidence if we win the Cup on Sunday,”he added.
Leopards captain Duncan Otieno was vigorous about their Super Cup’s expectations while addressing the media.
“The coaches have brought in some very exciting youngsters plus experienced foreign players. We will take the game to them, try and compete, and then hope for the best,” said Otieno, who starred for Kenya during the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup last December.
Speaking at the same function, Gor Mahia coach Dylan Kerr called upon the government to find a solution to its row with gaming firms “once and for all”.
Both Gor and Leopards are currently operating with a collective Sh105 million deficit in their annual budgets after the abrupt withdrawal of SportPesa as their shirt sponsor at the beginning of this year.