Awono upbeat as Gor Mahia stay focused

Courtesy of the-star.co.ke/

GOR Mahia Cameroon born coach Alaba Awono believes his side can finally make good their ambitions of ending the club’s 16-year wait to lift the national league title.

Awono, who was promoted to rank of head coach after Zedekiah Otieno’s contract with the 12 time league champions ended, was speaking at City Stadium, where the club started their pre-season training

This season is expected to be hectic for K’Ogallo who will be fighting for honours on three fronts. “I believe we have the right players, who can do the job for the club, especially the defenders we have brought. I think they can reach the standard of Eric Masika, now with AFC Leopards,” he said.

Gor Mahia, who remain the only club from the Cecafa region to have lifted a continental title following their 1987 triumph in the Mandela Cup, will be representing the country in the Continental Cup, a reward for their triumph in the FKL Cup. Gor face Ferroviarro De Maputo of Mozambique next month in the first round of the tournament. Top on their recruitment list is Thika United’s promising left back Yusuf Juma, who made a name for himself while playing for the national team Harambee Stars at last year’s Cecafa Tusker Cup.

The Kenya Premier League Midfieder of the Year Rama Salim acquired from relegated Congo United and veteran goal getter George Midenyo has also been drafted into the side from league champions Tusker. In addition, Awono and his assistant former Nairobi City Stars coach Ken Odhiambo have also brought in Hugo Nzoka from Sony Sugar, where Zico is now head coach and Ibrahim Kitawi, who now makes a return to the club after one season.

Kitawi’s partnership with George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo nearly brought the league title to Gor Mahia. The club has dropped reserve goalkeepers Gradus Ochieng and Ronnie Kagunzi who have been replaced by the Bandari duo of Tanzanian Ivo Mapunda and Wycliffe Kasaya. Another surprise move has seen the coming to an end of veteran Julius Owino’s long relationship with the club. Gor face Tusker on February 5th in the DSTV Super Cup before kicks taring the KPL season away at Thika United.