From Standardmedia.co.ke<\/p>\n
12times Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions Gor Mahia coach Annaba Awono has admitted that he already has a headache in picking his first team.<\/span><\/p>\n The Cameroonian tactician made four changes on the team that drew 1-1 with Sudan giants El Merreikh a week ago when he faced league champions Tusker in the season\u2019s curtain raising Dstv Super Cup where Gor lost 4-1 on post-match penalties after playing to a 1-1 draw in regular time.<\/span><\/p>\n First choice custodian Jerry Onyango who was in charge during the El Merreikh match was not in the line-up, not even on the bench, with Tanzanian international standing between the posts and his former team mate at relegated Bandari, Wyclife Kasaya being referred as the second choice.<\/span><\/p>\n Internationals Kevin Ochieng\u2019, Kevin Omondi and Anthony Okumu who were regulars last season, were on the bench, with the likes of burly striker Hugo Nzangu who scored 10 goals for Sony Sugar last season, Ibrahim Kitawi, Solomon Nasio, Dan Makori and Moses Otieno not even making the bench.<\/span><\/p>\n Good players<\/span><\/p>\n “It is true that I have a headache every time I have to name a team for a match. I can\u2019t say I have a constant first 11 at the moment, it is not easy, because each position now have about four very good players, but I would just want to urge the players to be patient because there are a lot of matches coming for the team,” said Annaba.<\/span><\/p>\n He added: “We all saw how well Kevin Ochieng\u2019 played in the right full back position after Musa Mohammed was injured against Tusker and that is not even his traditional position. This leaves me with big decisions to make.”<\/span><\/p>\n Annaba, however, stressed that there was no outside interference in naming the team, noting that he normally does it alone after consulting his assistant coaches.<\/span><\/p>\n No external pressure<\/span><\/p>\n “I have no external pressure at all in naming my team. I name my team after watching the players in training and I do that after consulting the other coaches. Gor has 30 very good players so the competition is very high and I think I will continue using the rotational policy to be able to give each player a chance to prove himself,” Annaba said.<\/span><\/p>\n He added: “We have the Kenyan Premier League, Cup competition, Confederation Cup and top eight to compete in so I believe a time will come for each player.”<\/span><\/p>\n Meanwhile, skipper Jerry Onyango has welcomed competition from Mapunda and Kasaya, saying it would produce the best from him.<\/span><\/p>\n “Competition this season is tough in every department and everyone will have to work extra hard to be in the first team and I am not an exception. Mapunda is very experienced and I learn a number of things from him, he also learns a lot from me and it is healthy for the team,” he said.<\/span><\/p>\n