Record Kenya Premier League champions headline the 2022/2023 Week Two fixtures this weekend – a short trip to Thika Stadium to take on fellow Week One winners Bidco United.Having successfully navigated around Nzoia Sugar last weekend, Gor Mahia coach Johnathan McKinstry took little time basking in his maiden league game victory, taking the initiative to keep a close eye on his next opponents last Sunday, a team he believes will ask a lot from them today.“We played Bidco in pre-season, it was a tight game. Having watched the side and felt them, albeit, in a changed lineup, I think we are talking about a resolute side, especially when they take the lead. We are expecting a very competitive game because they have a physical edge to their game and start so well in matches,” McKinstry said.##NAJAVA_MECA_6846193##True to the Irishman’s assessment, Bidco United last weekend took little time in dispatching Nairobi City Stars, taking a commanding 2-0 lead in the first half, with David Gateri’s opener coming after just 24 minutes into the contest.“Of all the teams I have watched, Bidco United know what they really want to do,” McKinstry noted. “With their fast style of play, I suppose the greatest challenge for us will be to remain switched on because if you go to sleep for one moment, they can create half a chance that puts them in the lead.Despite of all of that, I know the squad is ready for anything they throw at us. As Gor Mahia, we approach games in one way, and that is us dictating the games. Schematically, I know Bidco can switch up styles differently but with the right kind of execution, I know we will find the gaps to exploit them defensively,” he added.#FKFPL Fixture update!Sofapaka vs Posta Rangers will be played at the Ruaraka Grounds, 2 pm, and NOT Thika Stadium, 1 pm as previously stated.👉https://t.co/h9CAk6JttP pic.twitter.com/pcZZEMBtY8— Football Kenya Federation (@Football_Kenya) November 25, 2022 As seen last weekend, Gor Mahia made a couple of changes in their squad, especially in midfield, rotating John Ochieng’, George Odhiambo, and Sydney Ochieng’, a key ingredient to a motoring side as McKinstry admitted.“No team is just about 11 players. We have to make decisions every week and depending on how training goes during the week, anyone can be in the starting team, and that adds a bit of competitiveness in the squad which is a plus,” he went on.A 1-1 draw in last month’s meeting between the two sides in Thika seems to have been more than just a typical friendly fixture, as McKinstry noted, floating in the dynamics of the field of play.“Games played at Nyayo Stadium will have a different tempo than the ones played at Thika. The pitch there feels a bit different and from our recent friendly, the ground could impact the game more than we realize. We will need to involve different schemes to our game,” the coach concluded.Is there a deadlock between FIFA and Government of Kenya?From the players’ perspective, Gor Mahia captain Philemon Otieno is confident of the team preparations and hopes to see more fans in attendance as quoted on the club’s social media account.“Our preparation has been good so far… we are looking forward to winning the game on Saturday. To our fans, we urge you to turn up in large numbers to offer support,” the skipper said.The game kicks off at 4 pm.
