Courtesy of michezoafrika.com<\/p>\n
Gor Mahia Collins \u2018Gatusso\u2019 Okoth midfielder has come out strong to defend his reputation against claims of indiscipline. Okoth who has been subject of discussion amongst Gor Mahia fans is said to have refused to take a penalty on Sunday when his team took on Tusker FC during the DSTV Super Cup match.<\/p>\n
Being a regular penalty taker, Gatusso is said to have been among the likely spot kick takers when his team settled for a 1-1 draw against Tusker and the match had to be settled on post-match penalties. Tusker eventually won the match 4-1 with Gor Mahia wasting two penalties that were taken by Moses Odhiambo and Donald Mosoti.<\/p>\n
Okoth is also being accused of absconding training in the run up to the Super Cup match while the team was camping in Naivasha.<\/p>\n
But Okoth, in an exclusive interview with michezoafrika.com has dismissed all the accusations leveled against him and called on fans not to blow the mater out of proportion.<\/p>\n
\u201c I have never absconded training as some have reported. I had permission from the coach and technical bench and they are both my witnesses. While in Naivasha, I received information that my mother had been taken ill and was admitted. I had to request a day\u2019s leave to rush back to Nairobi and attend to the same. I later came to learn that someone said I ran away from camp. This is very untrue and unfair to accuse me in such a manner when I have tried to give my all to the team.\u201d He said.<\/p>\n
Okoth further defended his decision not to take the penalty on Sunday against Tusker since he did not have the confidence to face his former team mate in goal.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have been at Tusker before and all the players, in particular Samuel Odhiambo the goalkeeper understands me pretty well. Considering my history at Tusker, taking a penalty at that point was very disastrous for me and I did not have the confidence to take the same. This was not in bad light and no one knew Gor Mahia would lose in penalties. We had confidence in all our players but unfortunately we did not win the match.\u201d Added Okoth.<\/p>\n
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