Mavoungou must battle Omondi, Mathews for Gor starting berth, says Nyaoro

Gor Mahia's Congolese shotstopper Giscard Mavoungou, will have to challenge Kevin Omondi, Matthews Gad, and Caleb Omondi for the first-choice slot.

Team manager Victor Nyaoro says the competition is now high after the absorption of the former Otoho dÓyo goalkeeper in the mid-season transfer window.

‘’Our import goalkeeper also plays for his national team. We also have three competent goalkeepers, meaning it will be survival for the fittest,’’ said Nyaoro.

The team manager says it will be upon the goalkeeper trainer and the head coach to decide who to start in what match, depending on individual performance in training. 

He says that at the moment, there is no automatic first starter between the posts, and it will be a matter of competence as will be judged by the technical bench.

“The fittest will start at any given time. It doesn’t mean we have an obvious first starter as of now. The goalkeeper trainer and the head coach will decide every other time who to start.’’

Giscard is among the 6 players absorbed by Gor mid-season, and Nyaoro sees a lethal Gor in the remaining 14 matches for the team in their quest to challenge for their 22nd title.

Other players signed by the record champions include Cameroonian winger Patrick Essombe, Ugandan center forward Charles Bbaale, and former Sofapaka midfielder Ben Stanley Omondi.

Gor has also promoted Brighton Onyona from the youth team alongside right-back Kevin Okongó.

The team has also offloaded goalkeepers Dolph Owino, Sydney Ochieng, Kevin Juma, Musa Masika, and Enock Wanyama.

Right-back Rooney Onyango is away in Norway for trials with the second-tier side of Norwegian Sogndal FC.

The 23-year-old defender was last month involved in a transfer saga to a Tanzanian side, Singida SC, where Singida claimed to have paid Gor Mahia Ksh. 5,000,000 in transfer fees for the defender, a move that was later aborted.

Gor will play against Kariobangi Sharks tomorrow, March 5, at the Dandora Stadium in the 4.00 pm kick-off tie before facing two-time Johnson Sakaja Cup champions Githurai All Stars on March 9 in the round of 32 of the FKF Cup.

The team head coach, Sinisa Mihica, has hinted at signing strikers while noting that the strikers in Kogálo’s camp were not up to the standard he requires.

 ‘’We have good coordination and concentration from the back to the midfield. But our strikers are unable to convert these moves into goals, said coach Mihic in an earlier interview.

Nyaoro has admitted that the title race is so stiff, and it can be difficult to guess who will carry the day at the end of the season.

‘’It is about five horses. Kenya Police, Tusker FC, Gor Mahia KCB, and AFC Leopards all have equal chances of clinching the title,’’ asserted Nyaoro.