Gor Mahia unveil new players
Gor Mahia formally commenced preparations for the 2015 league campaign on Thursday afternoon, by unveiling 16 new players during a colourful function at the club offices in Nairobi.
In a move that seemed to appease the hundreds of fans in attendance, club Chairman Ambrose Rachier said both the club’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and technical bench were certain these additions will strengthen the team and improve the defending champions’ prospects of retaining the league title and winning other competitions.
“We have only lost three players Dan Sserunkuma, David Owino and Geoffrey Kizito, yet we have signed all this lot. That makes us stronger than last season and we are now set to compete on many fronts next season,” Rachier said.
However, coach Frank Nuttal was conspicuously absent during the function despite being in the country, amid speculation that the Briton, who is yet to sign a new contract with the club, has informally been approached by Tanzanian outfit Simba SC.
Gor Mahia will compete in five competitions, including the Kenyan Premier League, KPL Top 8, GOtv Shield, Cecafa Club Championships and Caf Africa Champions League.
RETAIN THE LEAGUE
Kenya internationals Jerry Santos, Micheal Olunga and Boniface Oluoch, and budding youngster Bernard Odhiambo who is a younger sibling to Owino, were also among the new recruits.
Other new signings unveiled on Thursday were Ugandans Farouk Ssentongo, Augustine Walusimbi and Khalid Aucho, Ghanaian forward Zachary Taofik and Liberian central defender Dirkir Glay
“I am putting all the defenders in this league on notice because I am here to score loads of goals, the instructions from the technical bench is we have to retain the league,” 20 year old Taofik who spent the last season playing in the Middle East warned.
“This is the best move for me at this time of my career, the exposure and fresh challenge will improve my game. I cannot just wait to get started,” Odhiambo said.
The squad is now set to commence training on Saturday with Rachier saying that the team will feature in several build up matches against local and foreign teams before the new season.
Gor’s new signings:
David Magoma (Mawego Talent Academy), Ali Abondo (Tusker), Ronald Omino (Muhoroni Youth), Ernest Wendo (Bidco), Farouk Ssentongo (St Mary’s Kitende, Uganda), James Ohawa (Bombo FC, Uganda), Augustine Walusimbi (Masaka FC, Uganda), Dikir Glay (Thika United), Zachary Taofik (UAE), Jerry Santos (Coastal Union, Tanzania), Khalid Aucho (Tusker), Martin Werunga (Talent Academy), Michael Olunga (Thika United), Innocent Wafula (Chemelil Sugar), Bernard Odhiambo (Nakuru All Stars).