Record champions,Gor Mahia, will begin their FKF Premier League campaign on Tuesday evening when they host Murang’a Sela at Nyayo National Stadium from 7pm under the floodlights.The match was initially scheduled for Saturday before being moved to Tuesday due to the unavailability of Nyayo National Stadium. Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsThe decision to stage the game in the evening has been welcomed by fans and other stakeholders. Gor Mahia head into the contest looking to put a difficult pre-season behind them after falling short in several competitions. Charles Akonnor’s charges lost to Rayon Sports in the CECAFA Kagame Cup final, exited the CAF Champions League in the first preliminary round against Pyramids FC of Egypt.##NAJAVA_MECA_10027880##Further, they suffered defeat to Tusker FC in the FKF Super Cup and also endured mixed results in their pre-season friendly matches.With the league campaign here, Akonnor will be keen to get off to a winning start and avoid coming under early pressure. K'Ogalo will, however, be without captain Sylvester Owino, who is sidelined with an injury, while long-term absentee Felix Oluoch will also miss the encounter as he continues with his rehabilitation. However, the club has received a boost with the return to training of experienced midfielder Lawrence Juma, although his availability for Tuesday’s encounter remains uncertain.Gor Mahia provide update on influential trio after lengthy injury spellsSpeaking to the club’s media team, team doctor Brian Odongo confirmed that Juma, who sustained an arm injury during the Super Cup match against Tusker, has resumed training.“Lawrence has resumed training after staying away with an arm injury. He is currently undergoing re-integration into football-specific activities,” stated the team doctor.Murang’a Seal, meanwhile, head into the new campaign with a revamped squad following the departure of several key players. Last season’s top scorer Joe Waithira has moved to South Sudan, while Victor Haki decamped to Kenya Police FC. Centre back Jackson Imbiakha signed for Kakamega Homeboyz.The club responded by recruiting several new players, particularly from the lower leagues, as head coach Dennis Odhiambo looks to build a competitive side capable of challenging established teams in the top flight.Shabana striker aiming to emulate former Gor Mahia midfielder Enock MorrisonOdhiambo expressed his excitement at the start of the new campaign, acknowledging the challenge of opening against the defending champions while insisting his side was preparing to compete.“We have been waiting for the league to start and we thank God that we are finally here,” Odhiambo said.“We are excited, even the players are excited to be starting the league against the champions. It is not going to be an easy game but we are preparing a good side to compete,” he added.The Murang’a Seal coach stressed the importance of securing a positive result in their opening fixture and called on the club’s supporters to turn out in numbers.“Every team wants to win the league and it is important to get a positive result in the opening game. I urge fans to show up as they did last season to support the team and all will be well,” he added.Ambani rubbishes claims league delay could hurt AFC Leopards’ title ambitionsOdhiambo also credited the club’s management for supporting the team’s preparations, including a pre-season trip to Tanzania, where the squad played several friendly matches.“We want to thank the management for allowing us go to Tanzania which was important for bonding of the team and training matches to prepare the team and have them play in suit our style,” he said.
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