Gor Mahia pursuing Okumu and Opiyo
Gor Mahia are looking to shore up the goalkeeping and fullback positions.
Story courtesy of goal.com
The duo made key contributions when the Kawangware-based side enjoyed a successful campaign in the second-tier
Kenyan Premier League (KPL) giants Gor Mahia are set to sign experienced goalkeeper Levis Opiyo and full-back Kevin Okumu ahead of the 2020/21 season, Goal understands.
Opiyo and right-back Okumu are currently in the books of the newly-promoted side Nairobi City Stars.
The two were key as the Nairobi club conquered the National Super League (NSL) and were declared champions when the season was cancelled by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Opiyo’s arrival would probably fill the space of Robert Mapigano, whose future at Gor Mahia remains largely unknown given the financial turmoil the club underwent in the 2019/20 season.
The Tanzanian, in an earlier interview, stated he would only return to the KPL champions if the money the club owes him is paid in full. Mapigano was among the foreign players who arrived at Gor Mahia before the previous season began.
Should the experienced Opiyo sign for K’Ogalo, he would fight for starting places with veteran Boniface Oluoch.
Opiyo has played for one foreign club in his career, lower league German side Fortuna Babelsberg. He has played for many local clubs including Posta Rangers, Thika United, Sofapaka, Mathare United, Mahakama FC, Western Stima, and Vihiga United.
Opiyo made his name at Thika United where he worked with goalkeepers Lukas Indeche, Zamu Adisa and Joel Bataro when the Thika-based club was still in the KPL.
Okumu’s arrival would mean more competition in the full-back department that was greatly affected by injuries over the last 12 month.
Wellington Ochieng, Shafiq Batambuze and Philemon Otieno were out for the better part of the 2019/20 season due to injuries. In their absence, coach Steven Polack depended on Michael Apudo and Geoffrey Ochieng.
Apudo was signed from Posta Rangers in January and went on to claim the left-back position thereafter as Ochieng manned the opposite side.
Gor Mahia have always signed experienced full-backs who went on to make their names in those positions.
Ugandan Geoffrey Walusimbi became a regular figure at left-back while Karim Nizigiyiman of Burundi dominated the right-back position before both left.
Gor Mahia have not been linked with many players so far even though some of their key stars have indicated they might leave before the next season begins.
Defenders Charles Momanyi and Joash Onyango may not be part of the Green Army in future given their contracts are expected to end soon and Goal sources suggested the club has not initiated renewal talks.
This video will start in
0:09
Captain Kenneth Muguna has also indicated the desire to leave.
OK.. How good are these 2 players or are we recruiting them to fill in the numbers?
In addition to emphasizing on quality recruitments we also need to manage the size of the squad.
With the recent financial tribulations a squad size of more than 25 players is financial impropriety as some players never qualify to play a competitive match the entire season.
Our goalkeeping department is suspect even without Mapigano. Boni is way way past is prime while Fredrick for some strange unexplained reasons is always dropped just when he starts to impress.
We need a treasurer who can analyze and advise on the optimal squad & TB size GMFC can sustain.
Certainly not Sally Bolo unless she can justify her monthly wage bill of kes.5.5 million. Are GMFC players being paid 100k+ per month to win only one trophy the KPL or who is being paid all this money and what is the performance output.
Before promotion to Vice Chair, can she explain the rationale is drawing up a kes.200m+ expenditure budget with no income projections yet we have gate collections, betsafe Sponsorship, branches fees, CAF prize monies etc.
Dolfina is not any better as immediately she became an official of GMAF she pushed for the payment of a 40 member youth team. This must be one of the largest youth team’s of a financially improvised club. As she claim she stands for integrity.
Can she justify, provide a list to support, her ( the GMAF) payment?
Let’s evaluate relevant qualifications, experiences and past performances at elections.
A degree holder should be “educated” enough to vie for a post that one has the relevant academic, professional or working experience. Otherwise the best donkey cart rider might a well demand to fly a plane.
Would you board that plane knowingly?
Mapigano scored one of the most memorable goals in the history of the club. How can you let him go?