Timely boost as Kiongera and Mutiso set to return
Courtesy of the Star
Gor Mahia received a timely injury boost after Mungai Kiongera and Innocent Mutiso resumed training after missing several weeks recuperating
The duo it had been feared would have been long term absentees in the Kenya Premier League but their swift recovery will be a shot in the arm for Zdravko Logarusic’s men, whose season has been hampered by the injuries to key members. The latest is forward Rama Salim’s Achilles heels problem which has forced him to withdraw from the national team, Harambee Stars.
Mutiso, a January acquisition from Mathare United, suffered a soft tissue injury to his knee but the tricky winger revealed that after three weeks of therapy, he is back on his feet. “I am well now and back in training. Hopefully, I will not suffer a recurrence or any other injury because want to help my teammates achieve our objectives for the season,” said Mutiso.
Injuries not withstanding, K’Ogallo have not enjoyed their best of form in the last few weeks–dropping crucial point in the league after defeat to Western Stima and a draw with Nairobi City Stars.
They also surrendered their Top Eight title–something that incensed assistant coach, John Bobby Ogolla who uncharacteristically publicly warned their players and particularly Victor Ali Abondo to improve or be shown the door.
“Abondo is a gifted player but he has not been able to play in the matches we have fielded him which has disappointed us. We are warning him to fight for his pace in the team or he will be on his way out” Ogolla lashed out in the aftermath of the teams exit from the KPL Top 8 tourney at the hands Tusker
Ogolla who travelled up-country during this brief KPL international break added that they were giving fringe players and their January signings a chance to show that they deserve to remain in the squad when the second leg kicks off
“We don’t want anyone to complain that he was not given chance to prove his worth to Gor. We have given all players a chance to play and what is remaining is for the coach (Logarusic) to determine which players are good enough to remain with us,” he explained. Up to seven players are believed to be fighting to stay at the 12-time league champions among them Abondo, Nigerian Abbey Natty and Yusuf Juma. With two games in hand, K’Ogallo are six points adrift of KPL leaders, Thika United.
BIG RELIEF BUT HARD TASK STILL AHEAD
I welcome the return of Kiongera and Mutiso to K’Ogalo squad.after a long absence due to injuries and hope their presence should motivate the rest to working even harder for the remaining two games at hand.
We should not be seen to be in a panic mode because of the recent loss to western stima and a draw against city stars a fortnight ago. Instead the team has had close to 20 unbeaten runs and therefore the technical bench deserve some credit.
There are reports although not substanciated that some club officials have started in earnest to align themselves for the club polls slated for the end of this year. I want to warn them in advance that it will not be business as usual. It is a norm that Kenyans loves politicking, K’Ogalo without exception. And as expected, freebies will soon start to fly; free airtickets, transport, jerseys and other memorabilia. The list is endless. I urge our officials to focus on the league and deliver to us the TPL trophy that have remained elusive for many years.
I wish coach Logarusic safe journey back home and happy stay till we meet again when the second leg kicks off. The deputy team coach, Sir Bobby Ogolla is an equally competent man who can handle the team effectively in the absence of Logarusic and therefore there should be no cause for worry.
that’s good ‘Bobby’. thats what you call STEEL management. never fear to talk about whats wrong coz if these players continue to underperform ur the one who will go. learn from logarusic and matano. most foreign coaches talk about the african players having weak minds. this is very true. they tend to be moody and do not seem to understand what being professional is all about. they play act in the pitch hoping that it’s the coach who will be sacked. it’s good how the tusker management came out to defend matano. kenyan coaches have for long danced to players whims especially coz such players are recruited by the management and not the head coach. what happens is that we end up having divided loyalties. foreign coaches were not the panacea to african football but one ‘advantage’ they bring is that they did not dance to management and players whims. the kenyan coaches who realise this will go far. most of these coaches are ready to take jobs with poor conditions just to see their names on the newspaper. nandwa for example is a very good coach but no steel. would i employ him… NO, i would employ instead logar or matano. sir ferguson(Man U) had to show Ronaldo the door yet this was probably the deadliest striker in the world. the coach has the contract with the EC, his term is to deliver, he in turn has to lay out how he wants this done to the TB and if a player feels different he is shown the door. ferguson still delivered despite ronaldo exit. in gor there are players who have shown alot of proffsnl character like owino et serenkuma, but sadly there are some who insist on remaining ‘amateurs’. Abondo should be given the leeway to leave.
I only caution team not to rush players back before they have fully healed.
It doesn’t really matter what other bloggers think,but for me this is not the right time for the coach to go on holiday,never mind the fact that he misses his family.
He undertook a contract to work away from his family so he must live with that clause.Its obvious that the team is not doing well in spite of where we are on the log.His guidance and leadership is what is most needed now that we have set our sights on the league trophy!!!
We will all go on holiday after we have achieved what we have set out to achieve…not before and not in between!!!and not when other coaches are busy recruiting and restrategising for the 2nd leg
I honestly don’t see anything wrong in the coach going to his native home when the league is on a break. Some of us are overstepping their mandate if at all. What does it take to recruit new players during the transfer window? A good coach which I believe Lugarasic is, has most certainly identified the players he needs. He has most likely submitted his wish list to the money-men. I therefore do not see what his role would be beyond that. Whether he stays in Nairobi or go to the moon during this period, will make no difference not unless he holds the money purse needed to pay transfer fees. The team is resuming training on 10th June. What is wrong with one taking a break to visit his family? Let us avoid being petty.
For God and my beloved club – Kogallo
As we wish the injured players quick recovery and return plse let’s not rush them. Otherwise the effect will be that we will miss them for the whole season. As our comrades @Pareiyo and @Kosero have said let’s leave the technical issues to the bench. Going on leave does not and should not cause any reason to panick. For our info when the league ended Tusker didn’t go on a break. They went to TZ and came back to resume the CAF champions and KPL league duty but has it helped them. City stars at that time were busy trying to find out if Agiddy will come back from the US, who will be the new coach, will there be a sponsor etc. And see how they are performing. Anyone who has worked in Diaspora will need to know why it’s important to take that break once in a while.
So let’s reduce on our emotions and see how we can improve on the performance without name calling and finger pointing. From experience we struggle in the first half but pull up in the second but this time we are there with the top as the first half ends
My friend Dan i dont know what u r trying to justify here,u cant say that if tusker did that n not performing is to justify what the coach is doing
Long live Kigali and the tpl is ours to lose. But please. Let. Loga. Go and. Be with his. Meaning kogalo is full of spinsters and bachelors who don’t understand. Family. Please. Give me a break good people. For club and country.