Coach Awono faces selection headache
From standardmedia.co.ke
Gor Mahia’s coach Awuono Anaba will not carry along any sacred cows in his squad now that he seeks to end K’Ogalo’s 16-year long wait for a Kenyan Premier League (KPL) title.
Anaba, a Cameroonian, eyes to grab the silverware this season and has urged passionate fans to be patient with the team and keep on supporting them both in victory or defeat.
Gor has made heavy recruitment ahead of the season kick off early next month and Anaba will be spoilt for choice no that he has more than two players in every department. But he was quick to caution the players that only merit and performance on the pitch will influence his team selection.
From the goal post to the striking position, stiff competition is guaranteed for a first team place and some of the renowned players in Gor’s line-up will have to prove their mettle or be lucky to make the substitute bench.
“No player is guaranteed of a first team in Gor next season. Everyone will have to work hard to earn a place in the team and I will be using merit to name squads for each match from the start of the season to the end.
“I will be naming my team for a weekend match after gauging the players in training during the week, so they will have to compete,” said Awono.
Awono admitted that it was long since the 12 times local champions last won the league trophy but refused to commit himself on breaking the jinx for K’Ogalo noting that they would try and improve on last season’s performance having finished fourth.
“I cannot promise the league title for Gor fans, but we must try and improve on last year’s results. I know the pressure will be high from the fans, but I would like to urge them to be patient with the team and understand that in football there is always winning and losing.
“Our opponents also want to win and they always play even stronger against Gor, so fans should be patient with the team and wait for overall results at the end of the season,” said Awono.
The coach has had stints with a number of Cameroon sides including Bambutos as well as having a coaching stint in South Asia.
He added: “One thing for sure is that the forth coming season will be stronger than last season. Competition is going to be very high given that team like Sofapaka, Tusker, AFC Leopards and ourselves have done very good recruitments.”
Awono said he is not a fan of the rotational policy and insisted he will use his best squad in every match as he eyes a treble.
“We will be featuring in the continental championships, Top Eight competition, Cup competition and the KPL, but I don’t believe on the rotational policy. I will go for my best team in each match,” said the Cameroonian.
Gor has signed Ivo Mapunda, Wyclif Kasaya, David Owino, Yusuf Juma, Rama Salim, Ibrahim Kitawi, Victor Ali, George Midenyo, Baldwin Ngwa and Hugo Nzoka. But it also allowed Tony Onyango, Erick Masika, Ezekiel Odera, Haji Mwachoki, Dennis Okoth, Wycliffe Opondo, Ronnie Kagunzi and Graduce Ochieng to leave.
we are giving u a clean slate…show us what u can do?
We are behind you Ker Awuono Anaba
Were is Felixinho? I thought he was signed?
We promise all the support you need Mr. Hon. Dr. Ker. Coach Awono. Go for it Sir.
Is it true that Felixhnho has been dropped from the team? . Just saw it on gorfc.com. Somebody please inform us
We need you be confidence bwana Awono.We dont want that zico issue of improving from last year.We want cup.
By the way, could the management clear the air concerning Felixinho? why send away such a passionate player? If its true then its not fare at all. Clear the air by end of day today. Check the link for the news on Felixino’s firing
we support the coach kabisa…we want trophies and more trophies…
Coach Awono, on behalf of all the die-hard and committed supporters of this great team, we want to say: KARIBU SERIKAL. You are no longer holding brief for anybody- you are now THE COACH.and the final decision as to who plays or makes the bench lies with you. You are wholly responsible for the performances of the team everyday. By doing this, we as the fans will be able to gauge your tactical and technical astuteness/ awareness as a coach. All that this team needs is a coach who will be able to read and understand the need of every game hence proper fielding.
Go for it Janabi Anaba.
Please please tell us something about Felixhnho.Is he in Gor or he has left?
LET THE “NAIJA” GUY TRY HIS LUCK ELSE WHERE K’OGALO IS NOT A TESTING GROUND FOR SUSPECTED CON-PLAYERS FROM WEST AFRICA.
@8 Oj and @ 4 Dan Its true the NAIJA guy is not in coach Awono’s plan this season. After thorough assessment by defensive cum assistant coach Ken Odhiambo it was realized that the guy is an average player who is not better than the local lads acquired recently like DAVID OWINO and YUSUF JUMA of which both are members of under 23 and senior national team players.
Secondly the guy has a serious indiscipline problems that range from…(un-quotable stuff). I do not see any value of signing an average player at the expense of our local lads who have impressed the bench. After all its only Masika who left and as such there is no vacuum in defense if you assess our new players critically.
Musa Mohamed ,David Owino, Ivan Anguyo, Yusuf juma , Collie okoth, Nasio, The ugandan import and another un-corfirmed under 23 trialist.
OGANGO, thanks for the insight. That means we can still get another player to make the required numbers now that even Roy Okal has moved to SONY. Maybe Pamzo was right when he told us that the player was not the material he needed. It’s unfortunate that the spirit was willing but the technique was lacking.
Ogango please stop calling him a con player. Just because he is Naija some people have taken to calling him a con. Why cant Awono give him a chance to prove himself ? This seems like a personal vendetta.
You cant assesses a player only in training. Lets see how he plays in real game situations. That is what counts. Some players shine in training and cant play well on the field. Some shine in big games. And Felixinho is one of those who may have big game temperament.
Hey! Hold your horses. When we appoint a head coach, we must give him space to organize his team and pick his players. I remember guys saying Awono wasn’t being consulted in the recruitment exercise and wanted him to lead.
Kogalo faithful expect results and we must let the technical bench find the best way to deliver the same.
This is kogallo,watch these space.Anaba?
Story mob ndio hatutaki…we want results…and by the way, why not give the guy chance to prove his worth? rem odera was a top scorer in our trainings, and yet found it very difficult to deliver in real game…
anaba, you can be sure of our support, but please dont be non commital on the league title for we want to build a winning team, period-tall jakom