Gor Mahia to grace Nigeria international tournament in August

Record FKF Premier League champions Gor Mahia have been invited to participate in the inaugural Coal City International Cup to take place in Enugu, Nigeria from August 1, 2024.

K’Ogalo Chairman Ambrose Rachier says the tournament will be a good warm-up ahead of next season’s CAF Champions League.

“We have been invited to participate in the Enugu Tournament between August 1 and August 11, 2024 and we have accepted the invitation. The tournament will be healthy for our CAF Champions League preparations,” said Rachier.

The invitation comes after Gor sealed a CAF Champions League slot by winning their 21st FKF Premier League title, courtesy of a 3-0 win over relegation-bound Muhoroni Youth in Murangá last weekend.

The event, organized by the Enugu State government, will host eight teams.

The club boss says the tournament comes with motivational goodies, as each match played will earn Gor Mahia about Kshs.650,000 apart from other winning bonuses.

“We shall be eight teams in total, and for every match we will play, the club will benefit from a USD 5,000 appearance prize money. The organizers will also cater for air travel and accommodation. There will also be other winning bonuses,” said Rachier.

Rachier says Gor is also in the process of scouting for a new head coach, as Jonathan McKinstry’s contract expires at the end of the season.

Meanwhile, the club boss has indicated that the outgoing coach had already identified players he intended to recruit for the new season. Rachier says they will evaluate the players, but the final list will be at the discretion of the incoming coach.

“McKinstry had recommended a number of players he wanted for the next season. We will evaluate them but the incoming coach will have the final say on which players to be recruited,” noted Rachier.

McKinstry left the country last Sunday night for Gambia immediately after K’Ogalo won their 21st title, and is expected back in a fortnight to oversee Gor’s remaining three league matches.

Rachier says the coach will be released officially after the final match of the season.

“He requested for a two-week off duty and we granted him permission to go meet his new players in the Gambian National Team. But he will be back before bidding us final farewell,’’ added Rachier.

McKinstry's contract expires in August, but the club has agreed to release him in June to undertake his new assignment as the Gambian National Team head coach.

Gor has three matches remaining against Sofapaka, FC Talanta and Bidco United on June 16, 19 and 23 respectively.