Aucho’s exit leaves Gor with headache: Kenyan champions have struggled without services of Ugandan as U-17 squad named

Ushuru Fc midfielder Charles Okwemba contests for the ball with Gor Mahia's Khalid Aucho during their KPL clash at Nyayo stadium on April 26, 2015.PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO

It was expected to be a roller-coaster for the Gor Mahia faithful during the second leg but two draws in the past two league matches have left a bitter taste. The return of striker Meggie Kagere was expected to propel the side into the driving seat to retain their title and go into history books as the first club to win the league for four consecutive years in the 20th century.

Looking at Gor Mahia in the past two matches, Kakamega Homeboyz and Ushuru, K’Ogalo have failed to assert themselves in the matches and this can be attributed to the departure of midfield kingpin Khalid Aucho, who left for trials in Scotland.
Gor Mahia has shown some weakness in the midfield area in the past two matches since the departure of Aucho despite the presence of good attacking players.

Aucho, a combative midfielder was no doubt a key figure for K’Ogalo, dictating the tempo of the game by protecting the back four and pressing the attack button.
The Ugandan brought stability and flair at the centre of the pack, something that has been missing in the past two league matches against Ushuru and Homeboyz.

Coach Jose Marcello will have headache as he seeks to come up with the right winning system without an integral player like Khalid Aucho, who contributed hugely to his side’s success before hitting the road.

Meanwhile, Kenya National team Under-17 Coach Andreas Spiers named a final list of 22 players that jetted out yesterday to represent the country in the upcoming edition of the COSAFA Under-17 championship that will kick off on Friday, July 22 in Mauritius.

Kenya has been pooled in Group B alongside Zambia, Madagascar and Malawi and will play their first game against Zambia on July 22, then followed by Madagascar two days later before tackling Malawi on July 26.

Germany-based Brian Ochieng headlines the squad as the only foreign-based player to make the cut while Tusker youth produced two players in Kenneth Mukuria and Clinton Machaka.

National Super League side Ligi Ndogo has three players in the team in Jeremy Mwenda, Clement Ngungi and Prince Bolt.