Samuel Onyango: Prospects for CAF performance are better this season

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In the video above, Samuel Onyango discusses the 2020-2021 season.

On how he trained during the Covid 19 lockdown, Onyango states that he did plenty of running but it was difficult training without the group.

On the arrival of new players, Onyango says this is good. In order to be a good player, you must be able to compete with good players. He will work on sharpening his strength and

He said the delay in schedule is a blessing. It will enable the team to prepare better for CAF. He is confident that they will perform better in CAF this time.

He is happy with the new coach who can speak English and French well.

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Gor Mahia win both friendlies in Naivasha

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On Saturday, Gor Mahia played two friendlies in Naivasha. New coach Oliveira Goncalves started his career at Gor Mahia on a high note.

In the first match Benson Omalla scored a hat-trick, Nicholas Kipkirui and Dickson Raila added a goal a piece and Naivasha added an own goal as Gor Mahia won 6-3 against Gilgil combined

The second match against Naivasha combined ended in the 75th minute due to darkness. Gor Mahia were leading 3-1. It was Naivasha who scored first. Ulimwengi scored Gor Mahia’s equalizer and Tito Okello and Konfor added goals.

The line-up for the second game was:

Bonface Oluoch, Philemon Otieno, Michael Apudo, Andrew Juma, Charles Momanyi, Bertrand Konfor, Jules Ulimwengu, Bernard Ondiek, Tito Okello, Kenneth Muguna, Cliffton Miheso

Both matches were played at Marula Estate stadium. Omalla’s sharpness in front of goal shows that he is not likely to dissapoint fans who are hoping he is the next great striker.

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Is Samuel Onyango headed to Sofapaka?

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Various reports indicate that Sofapaka intend to raid Gor Mahia for additional players. Yet again Gor Mahia has not initiated contract talks with this important player.

“It is true my contract is expiring next month and we haven’t engaged in any contractual extension talks with my club. Yes, Sofapaka have come knocking but the talks have not yielded much. To be precise I am still a Gor Mahia player at the moment because moving to Sofapaka is yet to materialise though I have been approached,”said Onyango to the Nation.

The former Ulinzi Stars and Sony Sugar attacker said his aim was to improve as a player this season be it at Gor Mahia or any other Kenyan Premier League team that he may feature in in the coming season.

Contacted by the Nation, Sofapaka chairman Elly Kalekwa reiterated that the club has concluded its transfers this season.

He, however, added that Sofapaka would not hesitate to sign a good player.

He also said he was unaware of any negotiations with Onyango but was quick to add that Sofapaka is a big team comprising of many stakeholders who might have been involve in talks with the player.

“Personally, I don’t know of any negotiations with Onyango. I can only recall that he was at Ulinzi Stars before joining Gor.

“Maybe there are other people in the team involved given his quality. Sofapaka is big and not Kalekwa,” said the boss of the 2010 Kenyan Premier League champions.

“The laws is very clear that you can start negotiating with a player six months prior to the end of his contract. That is the law we followed when we signed Lawrence Juma on a free transfer,” said Kalekwa.

But it is the same Kalekwa who had at one point said they were no longer pursuing Lawrence Juma because his demands were too high.

Samuel Onyango was in the SoNy Sugar Youth team before joining Ulinzi in 2015. He then joined Gor Mahia in 2017 and has proven an instrumental player.

Other departures

Reporter Mike Okinyi tweeted that Sofapaka are intent on signing even more Kogalo players.

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Bernard Ondiek: We are determined to do well in Champions League

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Bernard Ondiek, who is one of the players expected to replace Lawrence Juma in the starting line-up says they are eager for football to start. He is optimistic about the prospects of the club in this years Africa Champions league. He says they know what to expect in the league but are determined to do well in the champions league since the club has yet to succeed in that arena. He says this year’s team is better than last year. He stayed fit even during the Covid lockdown. However he is happy to be among his team-mates instead of training by himself. “If you don’t prepare well for Champions league you will not make it”. He concludes that “Ma fans should be ready to get behind the team”

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Robertinho wants to install free flowing attacking style

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Gor Mahia’s new coach Oliveira Goncalves tells goal.com that his plan is to introduce a free flowing attacking style similar to the one deployed by North African teams

Additional reporting from goal.com

“I like an attacking kind of football. Look at Raja Casablanca and Esperance they never play behind. Why? What is the secret in football?” the Brazilian quipped in a team talk during a training session.

“That is my style of football and I give support to everyone, to create, dribble, and express their talent. The talent is there that is why you signed for Gor Mahia, a big club.”

The coach, who has over 25 years of experience as a tactician, stated what he expects from his charges as they aim to defend the league title for a record fifth time.

“During the week I want to follow a specific training programme and if you need any help, I am here for you,” he insisted.

“Do not forget that on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, I work for you but on Saturday or Sunday, please work for the club.

“As a coach, I respect every single player because that is what I expect too from them. If I respect you, respect me.

“Why am I respecting you even before I came to see you, it is because I played football a long time ago. I understand your life, everything, what you need and what you want.”

Gor Mahia will open the new season against one of their big rivals, Tusker FC, on November 20.

Kipkurui not worried about Intense competition for places

Gor Mahia striker Nicholas Kipkirui tells goal.com that the arrival of several new players is good for the team

Additional reporting from goal.com

“The more players we have in one department the better for the team,” Kipkirui told Goal.

“So, I am not worried about their arrivals; it is a challenge for me to give my best and be considered in the first team.”

K’Ogalo will start the 2020/21 campaign against Tusker FC, a team they defeated 5-2 in the reverse fixture during the abandoned 2019/20 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) season.

The 11-time champions have not been as active as Gor Mahia in the league and many believe they will fall in their opening game. But Kipkirui thinks otherwise.

“Every game is tough regardless of the opponent you are playing against,” Kipkirui added.

“There is no easy team in the league and we are not going to underrate [Tusker] when we play them. As usual, every match is important to us and we will be aiming at collecting maximum points on the pitch. We usually prepare ourselves well before playing any game.

“Injuries have been a problem at times, but it is my hope that things will be different this time around. I pray that we will not have any, or maybe if they happen, then very minimal.”

So what should Gor Mahia fans expect?

“We promise to make them happy in every match we play; we just want to win,” Kipkurui stated.

“As usual, we urge the fans to turn up in large numbers and give us the support we need, and we will surely not disappoint.”

Gor Mahia will also represent Kenya in the Caf Champions League after they were crowned by Football Kenya Federation (FKF) in the abandoned season.

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Jolawi: Lawrence Juma’s contract has not ended

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Juma in action against AS Maniema at the 2019 CECAFA club cup

Gor Mahia team manager Jolawi Obondo is adamant that Lawrence Juma’s contract has not ended and therefore he cannot join Sofapaka until the appropriate rules are followed.

Additional reporting from the Nation

Gor Mahia and Sofapaka continue to feud over the transfer of the recent transfer of Lawrence Juma.

The international midfielder moved from Gor Mahia to Sofapaka on Friday under controversial circumstances.

The Kenyan champions confirmed Sunday they have written to Football Kenya Federation charging Sofapaka obtained the player without following the laid down procedures.

K’Ogalo team manager Jolawi Obondo told Nation Sport that they were shocked by the move given that Juma’s contract ends on December 31.

Sofapaka chairman Elly Kalekwa countered the Harambee Stars player joined them on a free transfer.

Juma, 27, had engaged in pre-season training with K’Ogalo as rumours about his imminent exit swirled.

He attended the Gor Mahia-Two Rivers partnership launch on Wednesday only to be officially unveiled as a Sofapaka player 48 hours later.

“I can categorically confirm that Juma’s contract was set to expire on December 31. He has been drawing a salary from us and we owe him only one month salary which doesn’t warrant a move even if he claims he followed the law.

“We don’t object a move for a player who feels he is pursuing greener pastures but it should be done within the confines of the law, ” said Jolawi.

The long serving team manager vowed that the club would follow the issue with FKF until it gets justice.

“Juma had assured the management he was heading nowhere until December when his contract would have ended.

“We were shocked since he was even among our players we shared part of the Sh200,000 donated to us by our two main guest during the launch of Gor-Two Rivers partnership. Sofapaka didn’t follow the law and we are going to pursue this case to the end.

“We are not fighting to have him back but only to prove that laws on transfers should be respected,” said Jolawi.

Kalekwa insisted they legitimately signed Juma and even advanced him a sign-on fee.

“We did sign him for free and paid no transfer fee. We followed the law and he is now our player who will help us fight for the league title,”said Kalekwa.

Sofapaka have clearly signalled their intent with the recent acquisition of highly rated KCB defender Mike Kibwage.

Interestingly though, Kalekwa on October 11 stated they had given up signing Juma as the club could not afford the amount of money he was asking for.

Kalekwa also confirmed that he was done with signing new players after acquiring Juma and Kibwage.

Others who have been signed by the club are Roy Okal, Isaac Mitima, Michael Karamor, Michael Bodo, custodian Kevin Omondi and the evergreen Paul Kiongera.

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Gor Mahia to pay for Two Rivers facilities

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Gor Mahia will after all not be using the Two Rivers facilities for free

Additional reporting from Citizen sport

Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier now says the Two Rivers training ground deal is not for free and the club will pay a monthly subscription fee.

Rachier however says the undisclosed amount is cheaper as compared to the Sh 5,000 they have been paying daily to train at Camp Toyoyo.

“Our agreement with Two Rivers is that we will be paying some affordable amount monthly to use their facility. This is understandable because they have to do maintenance. The payment is monthly and cheaper as compared to what we have been paying in Jericho,’’said Rachier.

The chairman says the new deal comes with a host of advantages from gym facilities to free swimming pool alongside the privacy they will enjoy at the new venue.

Rachier indicated that the agreement is renewable annually and at the end of the season, they will make a fresh agreement.

“In Jericho, since many teams in Nairobi use the turf, training time was limited to one hour and at times the players had to wake up as early as 5am to utilize their one hour,”said Rachier.

The training surface at Two Rivers is natural grass and the club boss believes it will be advantageous to the playing unit since most of the league matches are played on natural grass as opposed to the synthetic turf at Camp Toyoyo.

Meanwhile, the club will however rotate their training venues, depending on the fixture calendar, club secretary general Sam Ochola has explained.

“The deal we have with the betting firm caters for less than 50 percent of our budget. We seriously need other partners on board so as to make the club firm financially,’’ said Ochola.

Ochola says they have big plans for Gor Mahia and that they are waiting for the resumption of the league even though, up to now, they are in the dark regarding their continental club opponents as the Confederation to Africa Football is yet to communicate on the matter.

Gor recently hired Brazilian coach Roberto Oliveira to steady the ship, replacing Finnish man Steve Pollack.

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Lawrence Juma has gone to Sofapaka

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All the rumours about Lawrence Juma’s imminent departure to Sofapaka have proven true. Today Juma signed a new contract with Sofapaka as Elly Kalekwa appears determined to build a strong side, having also signed Michael Kibwage who was a transfer target of Gor Mahia.

“We are pleased to have completed the signing of Harambee Stars midfielder Lawrence Juma. Juma has put pen to paper to a two-year deal ahead of the new season,” said the Sofapaka portal

Juma joined Gor Mahia in 2018 from Nzoia Sugar. After a slow start and plenty of time spent on the bench, he played his way into the starting line-up then to the national team. Several weeks ago on his social media pages, he hinted at wearing a new blue uniform which left fans wondering if he was going to AFC or to Sofapaka.

“I am pleased to be here, this a new chapter, a new environment and I am looking forward to a good time with the club. I can’t wait to get started.” he said

Sofapaka will be one of the teams to challenge Gor Mahia’s dominance in the 2020-2021 season.

“The squad we have managed to assemble is a quality one which will challenge for top honours in the 2020/21 Kenyan Premier League campaign. This is a team that has a high chance of winning the league title and get a chance to play in the continental competitions. We have the resources we need to be successful and I am confident we will.” said Kalekwa.

With Juma’s departure, Gor Mahia will now rely on Camerounian Bertrand Konfor and new signing John Macharia to shore up the midfield.

 

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Gor Mahia will be at full strength for the first time

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For the first time in several years, Gor Mahia will be at full strength when they take on their first opponents in the CAF Champions league. This after FIFA cleared four crucial transfers, freeing them up to be registered for the CAF champions league. The four are Ulimwengu, Macharia, Okello and Konfor.

In past years, Gor Mahia played in the first round with a weakened side. Last year for example, they played the opener against Aigle Noir of Burundi without Francis Afiriyie, Yikpe Ghislain and Clifford Miheso. In fact last season, Gor Mahia only had 15 players registered for CAF competitions when they played in the opening round. In 2015 for example, Gor Mahia had a formidable side but ended up losing to AC Leopards in the first round in part because they had not concluded the transfers of players like Meddie Kagere.

Additional reporting from goal.com

K’Ogalo are now free to register the new players with Caf after they received clearance from the world governing body
Gor Mahia have confirmed four of their new signings have been cleared by the Federation of International Football Association (Fifa) to play for them in the 2020-21 campaign.

The Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions signed a total of 14 players in the ongoing transfer window, four of them arriving from foreign countries.

The club has now confirmed in a statement that the four players have been cleared to play for the side after receiving their International Transfer Certificates (ITC).

“Burundian Jules Ulimwengu from Rayon Sports, Tito Okello from Vipers of Uganda, Cameroonian Bertrand Konfor, formerly of Al Mudhabi of Oman, and John Macharia who previously featured for FC Guria Lanchkhuti’s of Georgia have all been cleared by Fifa to play for Gor Mahia.

“As per Fifa regulations, all transfers of players between countries must go through a process to get an International Transfer Certificate [ITC] – a certificate provided from one national association to another to facilitate the transfer.”

On being cleared to play for Gor Mahia, midfielder Macharia said: “I am so happy to receive the news that the ITC application process has successfully gone through. It’s a good feeling… my previous club wanted me to go back and so, I wasn’t sure what was in store about my move to Gor Mahia.

“This is good for me because it feels good to train with a team knowing well you are free to play in any competitive match. Now, I have to work… and work hard to achieve the best at my new club.”

Gor Mahia are now free to register the four players for Caf Champions League assignment when the registration window opens on October 21.

Apart from aiming to retain their league title, Gor Mahia will also take part in the Caf competition for the fourth season in a row, and they will be looking to better their performance from last season.

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