Gor shift focus to Cecafa Kagame Cup after FKF-PL triumph

Assistant coach Michael Nam says the squad will resume training next week ahead of the competition scheduled to take place from July 6 to 22 in Zanzibar and Tanzania.

Gor Mahia, three-time champions, are the sole Kenyan club invited to the regional inter-club tournament, which is making a comeback after a two-year hiatus and Nam has backed his charges to replicate their local form in Tanzania.

“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.

Nam, who has been the assistant to the immediate former head coach Jonathan MCKinstry, says they will include the names of their players who are on international duty with the Emerging Stars in the COSAFA tournament in South Africa, hoping they will join them in Tanzania.

“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.”

Five Gor players are with the under-23 national team and they include Paul Ochuoga, Benson Omalla, Austin Odhiambo, Sylvester Owino and Rooney Onyango.

According to Nam, the inclusion of five of their own is an indication that they have a strong squad for their assignments and also a strong youthful side.

Meanwhile, the champions are expected to name their new head coach later in the week.

Club chairman Ambrose Rachier said last Monday that they are through with the vetting process and have settled on the man to take charge of the record champions after the exit of MCKinstry.

The team is also expected to bolster their squad ahead of the CAF Champions League.

The club chairman had earlier indicated that they will urgently need a mature goalkeeper as well as a striker and at least two midfielders.

Currently, Gor has four goalkeepers including Kevin Omondi, Gad Mathew, Dolph Owino and Caleb Otieno.

“The office is working on transfer issues and when the window opens, they will release the names of the incoming and outgoing players. The public should just be patient with us, but definitely we are recruiting,” he added.

Gor will also be warming up for an invitation tournament in Enugu, Nigeria starting August 1.

The tournament will comprise eight teams from various countries and each match played will earn each team USD 5,000 as part of winning bonuses.

MC’Kinstry indicated his confidence that Gor will cruise past the quarter finals of the continental club championship.

According to MC’Kinstry, the good relationship between the players, technical bench and the office can take Gor Mahia to greater heights.