{"id":3674,"date":"2014-01-14T13:14:32","date_gmt":"2014-01-14T13:14:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gormahia.net\/latest\/?p=3674"},"modified":"2014-01-22T16:04:48","modified_gmt":"2014-01-22T16:04:48","slug":"gor-mahia-to-play-ugandan-side","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gormahia.net\/latest\/news\/gor-mahia-to-play-ugandan-side\/","title":{"rendered":"Gor Mahia to play Ugandan side"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"

A chance for fans to see this year’s team<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

courtesy of futaa.com<\/p>\n

Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions Gor Mahia has lined up a number of friendly matches ahead of a busy 2014 season that kicks off on Saturday 8 February with a CAF Champions League clash against US Bitan of Gabon.<\/p>\n

The Kenyan champions are set to take on Uganda\u2019s representatives in the CAF Confederations Cup Sports Club Victoria University (SCVU) in a friendly match on Tuesday 4 February. According to vice chairman Faiz Ochieng, the clash will be staged at the Nairobi City Stadium as from 1600hrs on the day.<\/p>\n

Days before the clash, Gor Mahia will play Nairobi County League side Supa Loaf FC in a friendly scheduled for Saturday 18 January at the Nyayo National Stadium then take on third tier side Mumbi Nationale FC on Saturday 25 January at the same venue.<\/p>\n

The team is expected to take part in the Kenya Power Charity Cup so the first weekend of February has been reserved for the one day tournament.<\/p>\n

Lavatsa just dissapeared from camp<\/h3>\n

As it turns out, Kenyan international Edwin Lavatsa might well have left without the blessings of the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions Gor Mahia as he completed his move to Algerian top flight side MC Algier.<\/p>\n

As revealed by the club\u2019s vice chair Faiz Ochieng, the player dragged his feet on signing a new deal even after agreeing on the same and the club had even gone ahead to register him as one of the players to represent Gor Mahia in the CAF Champions League later in the year.<\/p>\n

Security fears<\/b><\/p>\n

He informed futaa.com <\/i>that Lavatsa had left Gor Mahia\u2019s pre season camp in Loitoktok on Friday 10 January citing concern over his house\u2019s security back in Nairobi but as it emerged he was preparing to fly out, an act he says is wrong from a player who has all along been treated well at the team.<\/p>\n

-The way Lavatsa left was not the best thing he should have done; we like all our players to leave for better prospects but in a good way. Lavatsa told the technical team at Loitoktok that he feared for the security of his house back in Nairobi and thus had to leave earlier but then the next thing we heard was that he is in Algeria.<\/p>\n

Signing fee<\/b><\/p>\n

-Until that point he was a free agent but we had agreed that he will sign a new deal after returning from Loitoktok and he demanded a Kshs 250,000 as signing fee which we had accepted and was processing.<\/p>\n

-His action was wrong because we had already registered his name with CAF as one of our players for the Champions League and it is even worse because he is a boy we loved so much as a club, he told futaa.com<\/i>.<\/p>\n

Lavatsa is the third Gor Mahia player to leave on a free transfer after Donald Mosoti and Ivo Mapunda\u2019s departure in late 2013.<\/p>\n

Blackberry on why he came back<\/h3>\n

George Odhiambo reveals to Goal.com that he is confident of regaining his old form which saw him named the Kenyan Premier League best player in 2010<\/p>\n

Gor Mahia forward George \u2018Blackberry\u2019 Odhiambo has expressed confidence that coming back to the club will help him rediscover his top form.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is where it all started and believe that with hard work I can reclaim the glory I had in 2010. I am determined to do even better than that. This time I came with enormous experience and exposure which should help e do better,\u201d he told Goal.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Wanyonyi: I have unfinished business at Gor Mahia<\/h3>\n

Highly talented youngster Joseph Wanyonyi has come out to declare to goal.com he is not about to part ways with champions Gor Mahia even as rumours continue linking him to arch-rivals AFC Leopards\u2019.<\/p>\n

The teenager, who sprung to fame in the second leg of the Kenyan Premier League for the champions, has come out to distance himself from the rumours.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am not going anywhere. Gor Mahia is my family and I can categorically state that I am not about to move. They gave me a chance to play football notwithstanding my age,\u201d the former Aspire Academy product told Goal.<\/p>\n

\u201cHead coach Bobby Williamson has been like a father to me mentoring and giving me necessary advice. The senior players too have made me understand this is where I belong.\u201d<\/p>\n

This comes as reports indicate that high spending Ingwe<\/em> are about to splash big money to land the prodigy to the club his dad used to turn out for. \u201cMy dad used to persuade me to play for Ingwe<\/em>. He (daddy) currently knows that I am happy now playing for Gor Mahia and that won\u2019t change any time soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Altitude Training<\/h3>\n

Outward Bound Training Camp in Loitoktok was their base for one week and head coach Bobby Williamson believes the club has emerged with a reputation greatly enhanced after their routine pre-season high altitude training.<\/p>\n

Williamson described the one-week stint as the best pre-season for Gor and said they could have stayed another three days. The Scot underlined the need for players to work extra hard to earn a chance in the starting line-up.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a great squad and it\u2019s going to be a long season but only 11 can play at a given time. It will be hard to pick the starting 11; if you get the chance run with it because there will be no \u2018next time, said Williamson to the Standard.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will not promise second chances; instead it is your ability that will earn you playing time and keep you on the team. I don\u2019t kick players out \u2013 their form does,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The former Uganda Cranes head coach reiterated the need for the newly signed players to up their game to match the standards of the club, with a focus on the continental tourney. Williamson has used the time to analyse the depth of his squad which will be tested fully this season in the KPL as well as CAF Champions League. “We have a great squad and it’s going to be a long season but only 11 can play at a given time,”. \u00a0“It will be hard to pick the starting 11; if you get the chance run with it because there will be no ‘next time.’ \u00a0“We will not promise second chances; instead it is your ability that will earn you playing time and keep you on the team. \u00a0“I don’t kick players out – their form does,” he added.<\/p>\n

Outward Bound Training Centre Director David Kurao was thankful to the club\u2019s management for what he said was not only to help talent development but also a unique opportunity that over the last three years, the greater Loitoktok community have been privileged to be part of Gor Mahia. We really feel honoured to be identified with the champions. Training at 6,500m above sea level gives the boys an upper hand in terms of strength and endurance. The process of winning is always painful. Locals here follow your performance,\u201d said Kurao.<\/p>\n

Also present were officials, Gor chairman Ambrose Rachier, Senior Vice Chairman David Kilo, Secretary General George Bwana, his deputy Roselinder Achieng and Assistant Treasurer Gerphas Okuku. Bwana commended the boys for their hard work and outstanding show of cohesion with the new players. The club will unveil their new signings a week before hosting the Gabonese side US Bitam.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t <\/div><\/div>\n\t\t