Spier grooming "youthful" Gor squad for next season

Gor Mahia head coach Andreas Spier is not losing sleep over the club’s performance this season, saying he is building a team for the future.

The record Kenyan champions have not been serious contenders of the title this season, currently sitting fourth with 51 points after 30 matches, with the season two rounds to the end.

Spier who joined K’Ogalo midway this season had to integrate some of the youth team players into senior squad as the club was stopped by FIFA from signing new players, thus has not enjoyed depth and experience he would have wanted.

He, as a result says, the team is in transition, and may not have competed favorably in the current campaign.  

“You know we have a transitional committee for the federation, but for us it is a transitional season. We have to say, you know the reason it is a transitional season. We are playing with youth players – with improvisation since we were stopped from signing. We are therefore getting ready for next season,” said the coach, soon after beating Nairobi City Stars 2-3 at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani on Sunday.

According to the coach, going by the class of other teams, Gor would have easily won the Premier League had they signed a few experienced players.

“I’m grooming the young layers for next season. For example, I have been using Captain Philemon Otieno as a central midfielder and as right back. He has been my utility player as I test the young players to see their strengths and where they fit in best.”

He was chuffed that a 10-man Gor overcame City Stars, who twice went ahead with the situation complicated by the marching orders given to goalkeeper Gad Matthews. It was young Caleb Otieno who had to cover for Matthews, as Gor fought hard for maximum points.  

“The first and second goals we conceded were as a result of poor marking by my defence. That is an area want to correct by signing experienced players when the ban is lifted,” Spire concluded.

City Stars woes

For City Stars, it was their first match they hosting at Ksarani in almost six years. Agonisingly, they lost despite leading twice, with head coach Nicholas Muyoti blaming distress caused by theft of players' valuables and cash in the dressing room.

According to the coach, the players were fine until halftime when they realised unknown people had accessed the dressing room and taken away their possessions.

"They actually did their best to fight for the badge despite the psychological destabilization they had to endure after learning what had happened. Kasarani is not necessarily a bad hunting ground for us, the unfortunate incidence cost us today (Sunday)," said Muyoti.

Kogalo will next play against arch rivals AFC Leopards in Madaraka Cup on June 1 at the Nyayo National Stadium from 3pm.

The match will be live on Royal Media’s Ramogi TV, Ramogi Radio, Citizen Digital and Viusasa.