Kerr now focused on Champions League
In the last ten years, Gor Mahia have had a below par performance in every continental event be it the Champions League or the Confederations cup. Since 2009, Kogalo have been eliminated in the preliminary round three times (2009, 2012, 2016) and in the first round three times(2013, 2014, 2015).
Coach Kerr is determined to improve on those statistics.
“When I came to Gor Mahia, the club chairman Ambrose Rachier told me to win the league title as my first target and indeed, we have achieved that as a team.
“The next big thing that people expect is no doubt the continental football and we are keen on that. It’s all about preparation to be the best and it takes time but that’s something many coaches don’t get so, we have to prepare as much as we can to achieve the target,” Kerr told The Standard Sports.
Kerr says that the team is not ready but he plans to use the time between now and January to sharpen the team.
“We have worked on various aspects in the team and still things are in progress and we will be ready in good time to deliver at the big stage. We have to get the season done with the two matches remaining then plot well for next year where we will have a really busy season. he continued.
It is not clear whether Kerr will be looking to add players to his team.
“I have the right players but we have to get a balanced team. The fighting spirit should be there where players see past the qualifying round of champions league but that will come with the right work, right preparation and a mindset. We have to put Gor Mahia where it should be and that will be achieved by everyone in the team having belief in what they do and passion in what want to achieve.
“As the technical bench, we have a responsibility to prepare the team in all that and we will do our work as required to achieve the best,” noted the coach.
Karim Nizigiyimana undergoes successful surgery
One player who is not going to be available any time soon is Burundian wingback Karim Nizigiyimana. He tore his Achilles tendon in a recent league match and had to e stretchered off. Having undergone successful surgery, the Doctors have asked him to stay off the pitch for three months. He will return to training in February
That is the way to do it, thinking ahead. With the right attitude, I can see us in the group stages. To Karim I wish you a quick recovery. By the way there appears not to be adequate cover for Karim at the right back and he has been doing duty there for more than three seasons. If you ask me, we need cover there and also on the left.
Jasego, where are you?
There is enough cover in Wellington Ochieng who, though has been variously used at left back and at centre-half is a natural right back. He has even gone on record stating that though he will happily play in any defensive position as the coach wishes, he prefers to play at right back. Then you have Innocent Wafula, a winger but has performed admirably well both defensively and offensively whenever summoned to slot at fullback. On the left, you have Walusimbi, Simiyu and Abdulkarim, all capable players in my opinion. Still, I respect your own opinion and wishes because I know you want the best for Kogallo
JTG left back needs a natural like Marcelo who left snc walusimbi is nowadays more offensive than defensive.Right back innocent wafula can cover or wellington kike musymo says but on continental level i dont think ant will effectively replace karim.So quick recovery to our faithful number two…
But Innocent wafula is there
Music to my ears, sweet melodies indeed. We finally have a head coach who is seriously thinking and planning of competing, not merely participating, in the CAF championships. Hope this rubs off onto the EC as the coach has raised this matter now, early in November and not after the New Year, so that adequate preparations (signings and friendlies) are facilitated and we are spared the excuses of “being off season” this time round. Lastly to the permanent EC members over the last decade it’s a chance/ time to improve the pathetic and indeed shameful continental record that the club has had under their long continuous reign.