Gor Mahia name strong CAF squad
Kogalo have named the squad that will participate in the CAF confederations cup to CAF on January 15. Included in the squad are all the teams new signings.
On paper this team is stronger than the one that performed disastrously at last year’s Confederations cup. The technical bench is better. And there is stability in the team and no reports of injuries yet.
The last 3 continental campaigns have ended in disaster for Gor Mahia. In 1996, Kogalo had qualified for the Africa champions cup after winning the league in 1995. In the first round they met Dyanamos of Zimbabwe. After losing the first leg in Harare 0-1, Kogalo fans expected the team to overturn the deficit in Nairobi. However it was not to be as Dyanamos shocked Kogalo 1-0 resulting in massive riots from fans. In 2007, coach James Sianga fielded a very inexperienced team against APR of Rwanda which had several Rwandese, Congolese and Kenyan internationals including Moses Odhiambo who now plays for Kogalo. That inexperienced Kogalo team had schoolboys such as George Odhiambo “Blackberry” and other recent school leavers like Peter Opiyo. The club learned the hard way that continental football is not for schoolboys. The inexperienced lads suffered stage fright and lost 0-5 in the first leg in Nairobi. Last years debacle was caused by infighting in the technical bench and the EC as well as weak leadership from coach Anaba Awono.
This year the stars have lined up for a much improved performance. There is a measure of stability in the team that has not been seen in several years. There is a knowledgeable head coach with experience in other African leagues. And the squad has international experience in abundance; At least 11 of them have played for the national team. Others like Ivo Mapunda have played for foreign national teams.
The squad released by the club site is as follows:
GOALKEEPERS: Fredrick Onyango, Ivo Mapunda, Zachary Onyango.
DEFENDERS: Christopher Wekesa, Donald Mosoti, Musa Mohammed, Yusuf Juma, David Otieno, David Owino, Ivan Anguyo, Solomon Nasio, Israel Emuge.
MIDFIELDERS: Antony Akumu, Ali Victor Abondo, Antony Gathu, Joseph Njuguna, Moses Odhiambo, Moses Otieno, Innocent Mutiso.
FORWARDS: Danny Sserenkuma, Edwin Lavatsa, Kevin Omondi, Abbey Kunrunmi, Rama Salim, Paul Kiongera, Giovanni Rodriguez
Biggest concern is in the midfield owing to Pablo’s nagging injury. Hope Mutiso will bring the much needed boost. The defence is superb atleast if the Towelman’s past exploits can be replayed. The striking force is a mixed grill of Swahili, Baganda and West African dishes accompanied with Samba, Ohangla and Isikuti beats. Can’t wait for the action to begin. Awendo green stadium, definitely here we come for the Saturday friendly.
The squad looks strong, except some of us don’t know who Antony Gathu is. Maybe someone to shed some light on this.
Where is this guy comming from if he doesnt Gathu?Please just confess that u have become Kogalo fan yesterday then we will tell you who is Antony!
Let us avoid being petty. Are we saying Gor Mahia fans membership is exclusive or sold out? What does WAB have to confess here? @WAB Anthony Gathu is an under-20 wonder kid otherwise christenned ‘Gaucho’. He was acquired by Kogalo during the last June transfer window but is unknown to you and many others because he never featured in any of our competitive matches. Thanks @Donald Obunga for being an old and informed GM follower.
This gives a big psychological boost to the team. to know that you are part of a strong team. However, it also puts pressure on the players and every body involved to work even harder and that is good. Let us also remember that when it comes to continental foot ball a club should have at least established a tradition of being strong.We may face stiff competitors along the way but we are on the right track.There is this feeling in me that football lovers in this country have their eyes set on K’ogalo to put a smile on their faces especially after the dismal performance by our national team.K’ogalo match on.
Donald Obunga @3 whats wrong with not knowing someone? you being the know them all, why not tell him who Gathu is? anyway… Walter Alando, Gathu is and has been our brown Lad.Loga fielde him occassionally last season especially on FKF tournaments. The fiture of Gor. Obungas and the like, be positive on gthis blog and grow up.
Confederation Cup Group Stage pap!! Let the games begin.
@ 7 Saimz I concur. With our technical bench and the 12th man I think we’ll excite the local scene and even shock the alemen who have recruited well.
I also expect a very good run continentally.
Our weakest link is the bloated “executive community” and of major concern is the loud silence on the SPONSORSHIP ISSUE.
Any EC unable to secure a sponsorship for a club like K’galo,thats always in the news,is wanting.
Also I see no need for a TM, let one of the excess officials who gets along with the TB play this role.
Thanks guys for the clarification on who Gathu is.
@ 3 Donald Obunga – now that you know Gathu better than all of us how many GM major matches has he featured in and how many goals or impact has he scored/done so that he can remain in memories?
Barefoot Bandit@1 the seventh link in the strike armoury is some mugithi beat which you left out.
But why dont you chage name this year or you can’t affort some shoes still? At least you are no longer a bandit and we love you so much, we don’t want your brothers this season,tell them to keep peace this time. Lets go for the most disciplined fan group award which I hear is being introduced.
I tip Mutiso and Kiongera to shine and excel at Kogalo, welcome gentlemen.
POd Antie. / / tell that guy who claims be know it all that actually he knows ***
@3 D. Obunga! I also have scant information about Gathu and the Bible says,…”ask and you will be told.”! It is no offence to have scant information about anything/body. Only God is all knowing.
I hope the friendly match between Harambee Stars and Lybya scheduled for February 6th 2013 in Tunisia will not interfere with GM’s training programme. The full squad of players called to the camp is below:
Goalkeepers: Arnold Origi (Lillestrom), Duncan Ochieng (Sofapaka), Boniface Oluoch (Tusker)
Defenders: Jockins Atudo (Azam), David Owino (Gor Mahia), David Ochieng (Tusker), Brian Mandela (Santos), Abdalla Juma (Sofapaka), Antony Kimani (AFC Leopards)
Midfielders: Victor Wanyama (Celtic), Francis Kahata (Thika United), Humphrey Mieno (Azam), Peter Opiyo (Tusker), McDonald Mariga (Inter Milan), Clifton Miheso (Thika United), Paul Were (AFC Leopards), Ayub Timbe (Racing Genk), David Gateri (ASD Capetown), Kevin Omondi (Gor Mahia FC)
Strikers: Rama Salim (Gor Mahia), Mungai Kiongera (Gor Mahia), Dennis Oliech (Auxerre), Mike Baraza (AFC Leopards), Jesse Were (Tusker FC).
Ooh Laa La!!! JA-BRAZIL HAS MADE THE CUT.
@ ODUOR 12 i now concur with you 100%. I did watch a video clip of JA-BRAZIL @ gorfc.com and i can justify why you vilified this recruitment. I support your sentiments on the previous post.
Surely if you watch the previous video posted on this very blog-site when his name was mentioned and has since be deleted immediately when he jetted in and compare to the real JA-BRAZIL practicing at TOK KOMWANDA you will definitely notice that there is something cooking. The one i saw at “TOK KOMWANDA” is a complete mis-match,out of shape and simply a joker.
Wuod Okello, welcome. This squad has gotta perform this season. The core team has been retained and good additions added. With Loga accepting to take charge, i am expecting nothing but the records to fall, esp in the league where i’d like Kogalo to go unbeaten, score close to 80 goals among other things. Because we are going to see a tremendously huge resurgence of fan attendance, i expect most clubs to host Gor in Nairobi to maximise collections. These will be ‘home games’…we need to win with a huge margin. We need to create an air of invicibility abt us, much like the Arsenal of 2003/4. Can Kogalo make it 50 not out? And we are poised to create an impact in the Confed Cup, I dont see why mighty Kogalo can’t claim the cup in the 2nd tier competition in Africa. We are back!
I just can’t wait.
LET GIOVANNI EARN HIS PLACE IN THE TEAM
A lot has been written about this brazilian lad since he landed into the country one week ago.
Welcome to Kenya comrade Giovanni.
In their characteristic style, Gor Mahia can do anything to pamper their ego and enjoy some bragging rights. Brazil, is home to football greats such as Ronaldino, Pele, Kaka, Ronaldo and many more and therefore any mention of a player from Brazil generates unprecedented excitement and wild expectations.
Giovanni, under all circumstances must earn his place in the team and also justisy his fat salary. I personally extend a warm hand of welcome to him and really look forward to see him play.
Mac ogola ja kokise . Its seems a strong squad . May i appeal to players to know that every game is important .don’t alow defeat