Gor Mahia will miss the services of Philemon Otieno when they take on AFC Leopards on Sunday in the FKF Cup final at the Utalii Grounds.The defender is suspended for the game after he picked a red card in the dying embers of their semifinal match against Bidco United at the same venue. He given his marching orders for a retaliatory challenge.Philemon Otieno sees RED!!@BidcoUnited 1-1 @OfficialGMFC#FKFBetwayCup pic.twitter.com/aSg7ROtNKh— FKF Betway Cup (@FKFCup) June 13, 2021 In his absence, Gor Mahia coach Vaz Pinto may be forced to turn to forgotten man Kelvin Wesonga. The former Western Stima defender has not featured for the club for a while now and he could be recalled from the terrace. The tactician may also be forced to go with a make-shift full-back with Joachim Olouch and Charles Momanyi all viable options.Apart from Otieno, the team will also be sweating over the availability of Alpha Onyango. The first-rising midfielder picked a back injury against Wazito FC a week ago and has missed his team’s last two games. Coincidentally, they have failed to win in his absence going down to Stima before drawing with Bandari.Sunday’s FKF CUP final pitting AFC Leopards against Gor Mahia will now be played at Utalii Grounds and not Ruaraka Grounds as earlier planned.The match will be preceded by Third position playoff between Equity FC and Bidco United.The winner walks home with Ksh. 2 M.#FKFCUP pic.twitter.com/95DG7zYd2Y— Ole Teya (@Kevin_teya) June 29, 2021 AFC Leopards, on the other hand, appear to be a full house and in the last two games coach, Patrick Aussems has been rotating his squad in a bid to have a fresh team for the crunch final match. Against Wazito, Clyde Senaji, Marvin Nabwire, Elvis Rupia and Washington Munene started from the bench while against Kariobangi Sharks, Lewis Bandi, Isaac Kipyegon, Marvin Nabwire and Austin Odhiambo were all benched.The Last time the two sides faced off in an FKF Cup final was in 2013 where Ingwe picked a vital 1-0-win courtesy of a Peter Opiyo sublime strike. Opiyo is currently in the books of Nairobi City Stars.Over the years, however, Gor has proved bogey against Ingwe as Patrick Aussems-led team hadn’t managed a win over the reigning league Champions in any competition in the last five years. The last time Ingwe downed K’Ogalo was in a league match played in March 2016 at the Moi International Sports Center Kasarani with Lamine Diallo scoring the all-important goal.
