This archive report was first published on 21 August 2019.
Kenya's international right back Philemon Otieno has been ruled out of Sunday's return leg of the CAF Champions League tie between Gor Mahia and their Burundian opponents Aigle Noir at Kasarani, due to a knee injury he sustained during the African Nation Championship (CHAN) match between Harambee Stars and Tanzania's Taifa Stars.
According to Gor Mahia's club secretary general Ronald Ngala, Otieno will be out of active football for three months after undergoing surgery. Ngala explained, 'Philemon is due for surgery and will be out for close to three months. He will definitely not play any sooner and we will give an update of his progress.'
Meanwhile, Ngala confirmed that their Burundian CAF Champions League opponent Aigle Noir arrives today in readiness for the Sunday's preliminary return leg at Kasarani. The team is expected in two batches, with the first batch arriving today and the rest of the team expected tomorrow.
Ngala stated that they are not aware of their visitors' itinerary, as they are only obligated by CAF to provide a bus for the team, while the rest of the arrangement is taken care of by the visitors themselves. He explained, 'CAF only tasks us to avail a bus for the team but about accommodation, it is upon the visiting team to book a hotel of their choice. Up to now we are in the dark about where they will put up.'
The match will be officiated by Rwandan officials, with only the match commissioner coming from Tanzania. The officials are expected to arrive this Friday.
Ngala also stated that they do not intend to reduce gate charges as a way of enticing fans to attend the match. VIP tickets will retail for Sh500, while tickets for the terraces have been pegged at Sh200. Ngala lamented, 'We would have even wished to allow our fans into the stadium for free. But the cost of preparing for a match of this calibre is quite high. From accommodating the referees and so forth. Our fans should just understand and make it in their numbers to the stadium.'
