Record Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League champions, Gor Mahia, are diving straight into training as they prepare for a series of crucial local and continental fixtures between June and August 2024.
Team Manager Victor Nyaoro’s Statement: Victor Nyaoro, the team manager, emphasized the importance of maintaining their momentum. “We have three major targets: to finish the local league on a high note, and to make an impact in the CECAFA and CAF Champions League competitions. So we are training hard and cannot waste any time,” Nyaoro said.
Upcoming Matches:
- Local League: Despite having secured their 21st league title, Gor Mahia aims to reach 76 points by the end of the season with three matches remaining.
- CECAFA Club Championship: Scheduled to begin on July 20, 2024, in Tanzania.
- CAF Champions League: Preliminary rounds kick off on August 1, 2024.
Coaching Update: Former head coach Jonathan McKinstry is set to return to complete his FKF Premier League duties with Gor Mahia, per his departure agreement. Nyaoro expressed confidence in McKinstry’s professionalism, expecting him to fulfill his mission before fully committing to his new role with the Gambian National team.
Team Preparation: Gor Mahia is mentally ready for the regional tournament, having faced and triumphed over strong local teams. “We are not worried about champions from other countries. We are also champions, and the duration of a football match remains 90 minutes,” Nyaoro asserted.
Goalkeeper Recruitment: Club chairman Ambrose Rachier hinted at the potential addition of another goalkeeper for the CAF Champions League, bringing the total to five. The current goalkeepers are Kevin Omondi (import from Sofapaka), Mathew Gad, Caleb Otieno, and Dolf Owino.
Past Performance and Compliance: Gor Mahia’s last continental competition was in February 2021, where they were eliminated by Zambia’s Napsa Stars in the CAF Confederations Cup preliminary stages. Last season, they were disqualified from the CAF Champions League for non-compliance with the club’s Licensing Act.
Players on National Duty: Currently, four Gor Mahia players are with the national team, Harambee Stars, for World Cup qualifiers: Austin Odhiambo, Rooney Onyango, Benson Omalla, and Patrick Sibomana (with the Rwandese National team).
With a packed schedule ahead, Gor Mahia is focused on maintaining their winning streak and making significant strides in both regional and continental competitions.
