Gor Mahia will open the new year with an international build-up game against Uganda Premier League outfit Kitara FC during the official launching of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Stadium in Siaya County on Thursday.The Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) defending champions were initially planned to squire against Tanzanian giants Young Sports Africans (Yanga) according to an announcement by Siaya County Governor James Orengo. Yanga’s involvement in the CAF Champions League ruled out a possibility of the gigantic clash, with the Sead Ramovic side preparing to face TP Mazembe on January 4 at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.##NAJAVA_MECA_8606335##In Kitara, Gor faces an ambitious community club that has been on the rise in the last five seasons. In their first campaign in the top tier, Kitara finished fourth behind champions SC Villa, Bul Fc, and Vipers.They are now seventh in the standings with 17 points from 13 games.Furthermore, the Green Army will come up against familiar faces in Patrick Kaddu who joined The Royals from Gor in October last year, and Rogers Mugisha who spent a season at K’Ogalo.Stars Abroad: Clarke Oduor on target as Bradford battle for a point in BarrowCaptain Philemon Otieno has rallied fans to show up in numbers and witness high-octane-level football.“I want to urge all the Gor Mahia fans to turn up in numbers in Siaya for the international friendly match against Kitara FC from Uganda. It is going to be a very auspicious occasion that we urge our fans to grace. The football will be of the highest level,” he offered.Midfielder Enock Morrison echoed the skipper’s sentiments, underscoring the match as a prime opportunity to prepare for the league’s resumption.“We have had enough time to prepare for this match. We don’t usually have such opportunities to prepare and have the match very near to our fans who can come to watch us play and have conversations,” Morrison noted.“We have belief because the league is defending itself, and our fans should believe the league is coming home.”Kenya U20 wingback eyes FIFA World Cup qualification ahead of AFCON debutThe match will mark the official opening of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga stadium where Kenyan President William Ruto and his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Kaguta Museveni are expected to be special guests.Captain Philemon Otieno 🟢⚪️ pic.twitter.com/NAcXuLQElL— Gor Mahia FC Ke (@gormahiafcke) December 31, 2024 The stadium has modern facilities such as a football pitch, an eight-lane athletics track, a VIP pavilion, public terraces, a perimeter wall fence, ticketing boot, floodlight masts, VIP lounges, and holding rooms as well as VIP parking.The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga stadium is a product of public-private partnerships.##NAJAVA_MECA_8607482##Jaramogi Oginga Odinga stadium
