Gor Mahia vs Sofapaka kicks off the 2023/24 FKF Kenya Premier League on Saturday, 26 August. Are you ready to set the ball in motion with a big game at the start of a new season?
Apart from watching the Premier League live in Kenya, it is time to roll up your sleeves for some breathtaking action in the Kenya Premier League.
Will Gor Mahia have a good start and defend their crown or Sofapaka will take advantage of Kogalo's recent woes and inflict more pain on Johnny McKinstry's men at 3 PM local time?
Season Opener 🟢⚪️
GOR MAHIA FC VS SOFAPAKA#SportpesaNaGor #Kogalo #Sirkal pic.twitter.com/j8IVpJSfcw
— Gor Mahia FC Ke (@gormahiafcke) August 22, 2023
The big question ahead of this Gor Mahia vs Sofapaka is whether Kogalo will retain their crown or come to this clash sulking after being dropped from the 2023 CAF Champions League.
Excitement galore ahead of Gor Mahia vs Sofapaka 2023/24 KPL season opener
There is a lot at stake but the excitement in both camps, especially among fans is immeasurable.
Gor Mahia will be keen to retain their crown amidst uncertainties that surround the club's decision to use only domestic talent.
Moreover, the exuberance of Kogalo fans will be on full display once again as they take on arch-rivals, Sofapaka.
Sofapaka is undoubtedly Kenya's fastest-growing football club. Founded in 2021, the club has amassed a massive following and boasts a billionaire owner who continues on his journey to make the club a football powerhouse.
⚽️⚽️🏆🏆
2 days to go@Officialfkfpl @OyandoRonny @mediaguruh @LaLiga@AllanKaranJah @livescore @OfficialGMFC#fkfpl #season #football #season2024 #opener #kenya pic.twitter.com/hgFUSHhmio— Sofapaka FC (@FC_Sofapaka) August 24, 2023
While Gor Mahia has been dominant in this matchup, the fact that the last three meetings ended draw should give the 2022/23 KPL title winners something to ponder over.
We will look at the Gor Mahia vs Sofapaka predictions shortly after the lineups below.
Gor Mahia vs Sofapaka predicted lineups
Not much has been said by both teams regarding matchday 1 lineups but we expect a strong starting XI.
Gor Mahia
- Goalkeeper: Bonface Oluoch
- Defenders: Haron Shakava, Joachim Oluoch , Geoffrey Ochieng, Kelvin Musotsi.
- Midfielders: Austin Odhiambo, John Macharia, Ernest Wendo, John Ochieng
- Strikers: Patrick Kaddu, Benson Omala
Sofapaka
- Goalkeeper: Wilson Obungu
- Defenders: James Situma, Edgar Ochieng, Idrissa Rajabu, Abdulatif Omar
- Midfielders: Mohammed Kilume, Ibrahim Kajumba, Brian Magonya, Ndemi Keegan
- Strikers: Bob Mugalia, Michael Oduor
Gor Mahia vs Sofapaka predictions
Gor Mahia FC vs Sofapaka FC – 20 League Games#SportpesaNaGor #Sirkal #Kogalo pic.twitter.com/IvurCVVVwE
— Gor Mahia FC Ke (@gormahiafcke) August 24, 2023
Gor Mahia's social media activity hasn't been as robust as it was last season. Perhaps due to the CAF decision that locked them out of the Champions League. Will they put all that behind them in this clash with Sofapaka?
It is hard to rule out Sofapaka from this clash, especially with Kogalo still recovering from the reality of missing the ongoing CAF Champions League.
With that, here are the top three Gor Mahia vs Sofapaka predictions:
Prediction 1: Stalemate at the interval
Our first Gor Mahia vs Sofapaka prediction is a draw at half-time. This fixture hasn't yielded many goals, especially by the half-time break.
The last two meetings in the Kenya Premier League ended in barren draws and with each side looking to make a strong statement from the onset of the 2023/24 KPL season, we predict a deadlocked clash likely to end with no breakthrough at the interval.
Notably, 7 of the last 9 meetings between Gor Mahia and Sofapaka ended in a draw at half-time.
Prediction 2: Kogalo favourites to win on matchday 1 against Sofapaka
Even though the recent challenges must have come as a huge blow to Kogalo, kicking off the season on home ground is expected to come with massive support.
Kogalo fans are not only regarded as the most enthusiastic but also the most intimidating, so expect a massive win for the returning champions in the season opener.
Prediction 3: A low scoreline is expected in Gor Mahia vs Sofapaka
In another Gor Mahia vs Sofapaka prediction, we have settled on a low-scoreline, potentially under 2.5 goals full-time outcome.
More than half of the previous 20 encounters between Gor Mahia and Sofapaka ended with fewer than 3 goals.
Moreover, all the last five KPL clashes had a similar outcome of under 2.5 goals, so given the high expectations from both camps in this season opener, few goals are probable in a match likely to be very defensive on both sides.
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago
