{"id":14892,"date":"2019-07-16T02:46:52","date_gmt":"2019-07-16T02:46:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gormahia.net\/latest\/?p=14892"},"modified":"2019-07-16T02:46:55","modified_gmt":"2019-07-16T02:46:55","slug":"rachier-sportpesa-standoff-spells-doom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gormahia.net\/latest\/news\/rachier-sportpesa-standoff-spells-doom\/","title":{"rendered":"Rachier: Sportpesa standoff spells doom"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier is adamant that if the standoff between the government and Sportpesa is not resolved amicably, Gor Mahia will not participate in the CAF champions league.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is doom and gloom. It is our prayer that the standoff between the government and betting firms is resolved amicably,\u201d he said on KTN.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both Rachier and newly elected AFC Chairman Dan Shikanda stressed the importance of Sportpesa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course we understand the position of the government, but whatever action they take they should also consider the sports industry. SportPesa and other betting companies have invested millions of shillings.\u201d said Rachier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shikanda believes the government should uphold the interests of sports. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIngwe depends a hundred per cent on SportPesa funding. We simply don\u2019t know where we go from here. The government, we believe, has the best interest of everyone including Leopards,\u201d Shikanda said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gor Mahia targeting Thomas Ulimwengu<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Team manager Jolawi Obondo has confirmed that striker Thomas Ulimwengu is on Gor Mahia’s radar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We are looking for a striker. He (Ulimwengu) could be the one. Or it could be someone else. We have a list of names we are pursuing and the coach wants to be sure of who is coming in because this is a crucial department,” Obondo said to the Nation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the Nation, Ulimwengu’s going price is Ksh 9 million. Half to the club (Rayon) and half to the player. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ulimwengu has scored three goals in the CECAFA club cup and scofred 12 goals in the Rwandese league.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oktay admits that replacing Kahata and Tuyisenge is difficult<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hassan Oktay has so far offered trials to two Congolese strikers and one Camerounian to no avail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHonestly speaking Tuyisenge and Kahata\u2019s exit is a big blow to us. Kahata is a gifted player, who made everyone playing around him better, while Tuyisenge is just a natural striker. We are looking for some options but finding players with such quality on the current transfer market is not easy,\u201d Oktay told Standard Sports. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oktay says the new signings have a long way to go before they reach the calibre needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, we have made a number of signings, but they need to improve a lot. They still have a long way to go to establish themselves in the team. We hope to get at least one good striker before the new season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt the moment as a professional coach, I don\u2019t have an option but use what I have.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kahata and Tuyisenge for their part are thankful for having played at Kogalo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPlayers come and go, but for a big club like Gor Mahia their history will always remain. I think my time to leave Gor Mahia had arrived and I had to leave. I\u2019m confident they will get better players than us,\u201d said Kahata to the Standard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tuyisenge was equally appreciative. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat I have achieved with Gor Mahia is unmeasurable. Even as I prepare for my new challenge, I feel indebted to Gor Mahia fans and the club itself.\u201d Tuyisenge added to the Standard. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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