Collins Okoth “Gattuso” turning the corner
One of the few bright spots at Gor Mahia during the past two months has been Collins Okoth “Gattuso”. The diminutive but relentless defensive midfielder has a tremendous asset for the club since he rejoined at the halfway point of the season. What is even more impressive is that he had a long layoff prior to returning to football in June.
“When you have been out for a long time like me, then you have to work extra hard to keep up your fitness and competitive level. This is what I did and that is why it was easy for me to fit into the team,” he told the Standard.
In fact “Gattuso” was back in the starting line-up as soon as he rejoined. And despite taking long layoffs from the sport for disciplinary reasons, he seems not to have lost any of the form that saw him become a national team regular in 2010 and 2011.
“Gattuso” is looking forward to playing against his most recent former club Tusker who are the team closest to Gor Mahia in the league table.
“From now on, we must work as a team and pick the maximum points at stake. We are approaching this match against Tusker with the seriousness it deserves because it will be a big plus for our title ambitions if we beat them”, continued Okoth.
After leaving Gor Mahia, Okoth joined Mathare and Sofapaka and was released from both clubs for disciplinary reasons. Okoth who had joined Tusker in 2012, demanded to be released by Tusker as soon as coach Francis Kimanzi arrived there. His reason was that he had never gotten along with Kimanzi. When this happened, most observers figured it was just Gattuso’s indiscipline problems resurfacing. In fact many fans were skeptical about his return to Gor Mahia. Those concerns were swept aside when he played his first game back.
Indeed Okoth appears to have calmed down and his hard work is paying off.
“My desire is to win silverware with Gor Mahia at the end of the season and this motivates me to work hard every day. It will be exciting to line-up against them on Sunday having featured for them in 2012,” he said to the Standard.
Okoth also spoke highly of the new coach Frank Nuttall whom he said had what it takes to steer the team to the league title.
“He understands his work and the players love his professional approach. In the short time, we have trained with him, he has imparted so much into the team if it all goes well, then there is no reason why we cannot retain KPL title,”said Okoth to goal.com
Gor Mahia fans will be hoping that playing against Tusker will give ‘Gattuso” extra motivation when the two teams meet this weekend.
wel, he has been impressive na pia anajituma sana, let him put more effort and stay focused for time is running out on him.
Gattuso, keep working hard. You will be there
Gatusso keep up time u hv.@ 1 man stop nonsense on kolins
Personally I love his way of play,should have been doing professional out of the country if you consider the caliber of those in same ranks now. Has been a pillar in that midfield for Kogalo this half of the season. Keep it up Gatusso.
Gatuso keep it up brother this is the real time for u to make it happened at gor club to lift the cup here with us .sunday we are coming with all our faith guyz need.brother Mwakio, Jathur gi ji , sofa set ,Jakorando, Okumu Pamw,Jakababa, Barefoot salamu zangu nimewatumia wote nimerudi sasa HOPE U HAVE KEPT CLEAN SHEET TO SPEAK THE TRUTH AMEN
CAN WE RETAIN THE LEAGUE ?
The following fixture list explains itself.
Tusker, Ulinzi Stars, Chemelil Sugar, Bandari, Nairobi City Stars, Mathare United, Sofapaka, Muhoroni Youth, KRA.
Now if you analyze that list, you can definitely strike off a number of games from their winning streak if you like.
Tusker, Ulinzi, Chemelil, Mathare United, Sofapaka and KRA will be tough fixtures.
I suspect Gor will win five of their nine games left and that means there will be an opportunity for Sofapaka and Tusker to get going and win the title.
That is the way I see it, but if they are able to win seven of the nine, then they will be worthy champions.
But I just can’t see it.
I do not see them beating Tusker and nor do I see them beating Ulinzi and Chemelil…. Those three games in my view will tell us the probable direction of the title.
From a Sofapaka point of view, we will need to win all the games we have left to win the title or maybe six of the seven if possible and then we will have a chance.
Otherwise, we are tanked.
Interesting couple of days lie ahead.
for sure Gatuuso is a good player, keep it up boy
@Jakoyo is this post yours or you have copy pasted from somewhere?
Otherwise, in as much as Gor will lose to Tusker, Chemelil et el as predicted by some of us, the same teams can also lose. Not unless they are completely unbeatable. All the best Kogallo, it can be done and I am convinced you will do it.
Off to Nambole to cheer Baba Kizito and Waluwalu.
For God and my beloved club – Kogallo.
i am one guy who never liked c.okoth coz of his poor discipline and attitude…but thus guy seems to have changed and for the much i have seen so far, his game is good. he is one player in gor who is currently working to win. keep it up.
gor is suffering from poor mentality in some players more than anything else… players who think they are more ‘gor’ than others so to speak.
My prediction is that GM will draw with Tusker 0-0 or the game will end 1-0 or 0-1. Whichever team scores 1st will win. The defenders were tired against Simba hence the 3 goals. But they will have had 1 week to adjust before playing Tusker. So I dont’t expect them to concede hadharani.
And this league will be decided on the last day. Its a tough league as usual. Fans to play their part. Changeni fedha to prevent these go slows.
No matter the circumstances and the meagre sources that we have, let us all arise to support our clamour team. We have a great team.
@Albert Kosero, please deliver our greetings and wish the cranes well.
Jakoyo Jakooooyoooooo God gives you what you say by your mouth, now Jakoyo say after me: we… will… retaiiiin…. this….thing…Repeat every morning and you will be a happy man ever after
@ jathur gi…..WE WILL RETAIN THIS THING , am learning to be positive.
It is so hard to find anything good about kogallo this days in the press/media/blog…….mara KRA, mara politics, mara broke, mara bills, mara players not paid, mara go slow , mara coach, and the list goes on and on !!!!!
jakoyo is obstructed by small things, he is still reminding KRA of money we did not even have, how do you expect him to believe in the players. to be on top most of the time is not easy. we are there and we should be proud we are leading the crowed.
support the team………..
Hang in there Gatusso. I remember how we once erupted into the chant “wanagoni erokamano Gatusso eeeh waanagoni erokamano Gatusso” after a fantastic last minute equalizer in a crucial match in 2012 at City Stadi.
Your commitment has never been in question, stay focused and mos mos the sky is the limit.
All the best Collo, All the best team K’galo
I remember him for the 99 th minute thunder goal against karuturi in Naivasha that earned us a draw.
Currently Gatusso look committed to Gor’s cause with or without money. But regrettably he walked out on us when we needed him most when Loga joined the club he could be by now one of our pillars and the time we were selling Teddy Akumu to Sudan, Gatusso could have been headed to better Europe. Lost chances by Gatusso and lesson learned now get focused boy.
Ooh Laa la..!! ” GATTUSO”.! GOR Vs TUSKER IS A MIDFIELD BATTLE..!!
It is Gattuso /Kizito Vs Aucho / Osumba ..! What a Cracker YAWA.!
@ Comrade ombeng ombeng if your memory serves you righ;t then you will recall that GATTUSO did score the equalizing goal against KARUTURI with a beautiful volley at the “City Stadium” after connecting well with a fantastic diagonal cross from Demonge Selanga way past the official added time. The match was played beyond extra time. YAANI THE REF WAS BIASED. “MUIRURI FACTOR”
Thats how man utd survived,extra,extra times.
Why is Mr Kiilo jumping the gun by saying kogalo may not honour Caf fixtures next. Leshouldnt we first win the league first then issue such comments?
@gwer gwer, the comments from Kiilo an executive member of the club were uncalled for and this just show hollow and idle mind. Such comments should be coming from paparazzis and rumour mongers but not from a senior official like Kiilo.
This leaves us with a big question that who is the spokesperson of the club? Executive committee members should have the standard code of conduct to be adhered to at all times by all the office bearers.
Why do our officials always expose their nakedness to the public at such critical moment when unity of purpose is required? The team at this time need motivation and support but not discouragement and disincentives as portrayed by Kiilo.
Let us give our support with all our little and meagre resources. God will see us through.