Shakava Rallies His Smarting Gor Troops To Hunt Rangers Down
9th August 2018
SPL leaders are in action in Kisumu keen to atone for first defeat of the season
- The SportPesa Premier League (SPL) champions went down 2-1 to Bandari FC on Tuesday
- Skipper described the loss as 'painful as any other they have suffered as a team'.
- Gor (56), who still enjoy an 11-point gap over Bandari at the summit, are in the middle of a hectic fixture schedule that will see them play five games in a span of only nine days
- Shakava maintains they are focused on sealing the title and are not fatigued as critics claim
NAIROBI, Kenya- Gor Mahia FC captain, Harun Shakava, has rallied his teammates to draw lessons from their first domestic loss of the season and focus on getting their groove back with a win against Posta Rangers FC on Friday.
The SportPesa Premier League (SPL) champions went down 2-1 to Bandari FC at Mbaraki Grounds in Mombasa on Tuesday afternoon, a win that saw the hosts move up to second place.
It was also the first time this term that Gor, who are chasing a record-stretching 17th domestic crown, failed to win in successive games after letting the lead slip twice to draw 2-2 with Nakumatt FC in Machakos last Saturday.
Speaking to SportPesa News after a training session in Nairobi, Shakava stressed that the loss has not changed the attitude of the players and they need to quickly switch their focus to the upcoming games.
“The defeat was as painful as any other that we have ever suffered as a team but it came at the right time.
“We have shown that we have the talent and ability to put on great performances throughout the season, meaning we have to find that spark as we travel to Kisumu to face Posta,” Shakava charged.
SPL leaders Gor (56), who still enjoy an 11-point gap over Bandari at the summit, are in the middle of a hectic fixture schedule that will see them play five games in a span of only nine days.
Dreaded run
It is a dreaded run of matches that has raised fears the champions are close to imploding and hand their rivals a title lifeline following the Bandari loss as Dylan Kerr’s charges- who have three games in hand over the dockers- prepare to face a side they hammered 5-0 in the first leg of the 2018 SPL at the Moi Stadium in Kisumu.
“We need to play together as a team and encourage each other to ensure we win the upcoming matches.
“The game on Friday will be a tough one but I’m glad it’s in Kisumu, the quality of the pitch is better than Bandari and I’m sure we will have more fans in our corner,” the 26-year old defender offered.
“We are playing very many games which is a tough ask but as you can see even from the Bandari game, there is no visible signs of fatigue in the team.
“Our coach and his staff keep us focused and everyone has shown the hunger and desire to win the league as early as we can to extend our record,” Shakava added in response to their critics who are waiting for the K’Ogalo boat to sink.
Gor will rest over the weekend before facing Kakamega Homeboyz FC in a crunch SPL encounter on Monday.
-Report by Louis Kalinga