By Teddy Makori
Thursday,27 June 2024
Nairobi
Gor Mahia FC, fresh off their premier league victory as the champions for the 2024 season, now turns its attention to the upcoming Cecafa Kagame Cup.
The team celebrated their 21st league title at Machakos Stadium, joined by notable figures including Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo, FKF President Nick Mwendwa, and Gor Chairman Ambrose Rachier.
Assistant coach Michael Nam announced that the squad would resume training next week to prepare for the regional inter-club tournament, scheduled from July 6 to 22 in Zanzibar and Tanzania.
Nam expressed confidence in the team’s ability to replicate their domestic success on an international stage. “We expect all players to be back in training on the first day of July.
We have numerous business ahead of us and seriousness is key,” said Nam.Gor Mahia, the only Kenyan club invited to the tournament, is keen on making a mark after a two-year hiatus of the competition.
Nam highlighted the importance of including players currently on international duty with the Emerging Stars in the COSAFA tournament in South Africa.
These players, including Paul Ochuoga, Benson Omalla, Austin Odhiambo, Sylvester Owino, and Rooney Onyango, are crucial to bolstering the squad for the Cecafa Kagame Cup.
Nam emphasized the strength and youthfulness of the team, noting the significant contributions of the five Emerging Stars players.
“Cecafa has given each participating team a maximum of 25 players’ slots and we intend to forward the names, including those on international duty in South Africa.
We need a strong squad for all the matches ahead of us,” he added.Meanwhile, Gor Mahia is also in the process of appointing a new head coach following the departure of Jonathan McKinstry.
Club Chairman Ambrose Rachier indicated that the vetting process is complete, and the announcement of the new coach is expected soon.
The new head coach will lead the team as they prepare for the CAF Champions League and other upcoming competitions.
In addition to coaching changes, the club is planning to strengthen its squad. The focus will be on acquiring a mature goalkeeper, a striker, and at least two midfielders.
The club currently has four goalkeepers: Kevin Omondi, Gad Mathew, Dolph Owino, and Caleb Otieno.
Rachier assured fans that the office is diligently working on transfers and that new player announcements will be made when the window opens.
“The public should just be patient with us, but definitely we are recruiting,” he said.Gor Mahia will also participate in an invitation tournament in Enugu, Nigeria, starting August 1.
The tournament will feature eight teams from various countries, with each match offering a winning bonus of USD 5,000.
Former coach McKinstry expressed confidence in the team’s potential to reach the quarter-finals of the continental club championship, attributing this to the good relationship between the players, technical bench, and club management.
As Gor Mahia prepares for these important challenges ahead, the team remains focused on maintaining its winning momentum and achieving further success on both regional and continental stages.