Leopards counting on youthful goalkeeper to stop Gor in derby

AFC Leopards will count on individual brilliance and team work when they take on derby rivals Gor Mahia FC this afternoon in their 90th Mashemeji Derby at Kasarani Annex stadium.

Assistant coach Tom Juma has tipped his youthful side led by the academy graduate Maxwell Mulili who is yet to concede a goal since assuming his role between the sticks

“Players like Maxwell are the type who self-motivate because they have been served a chance to showcase his importance in the team.

“When you get such a chance then you just have no option but to utilize it very well for it may be a lifetime thing.

“Last season, Maxwell was not even on the senior team bench but now he is our first choice goalkeeper and he has grabbed it very well and has the urge to impress just like our youth team players who have been drilled in the senior team, all of them want to prove a point,” Juma said.

Juma has also said that his boys are aware of the threat K’Ogalo will pose now that both the points and bragging rights are up for grabs in this Mashujaa Day fixture.

Leopards could go top of the FKF Premier League table with a win on seven points while Gor will look to continue with their perfect start after defeating last season second place finishers KCB 2-1 in the opening tie.

Gor are clear favorites and they have won 30 matches with Leopards claiming maximum points in 27 since they started meeting in the derby.