'Pamzo’ Omollo to steer troubled Gor Mahia in CAF Champions League

Posta Rangers FC coach Sammy Omollo reacts during their Kenya Premier League match against KCB FC at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on February 22, 2020. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Posta Rangers tactician Sammy 'Pamzo' Omollo will take charge of Gor Mahia during the upcoming CAF Champions League preliminary matches.

The record Kenyan champions appointed Omollo as the stand-in coach for their CAF Champions League preliminary match away to Rwandan giants’ APR this coming Saturday after their newly appointed coach was banned from overseeing the club's CAF  matches for the 2020/21 season.

The club was left to seek alternative option after CAF ruled that Oliveira’s qualifications did not meet the bare minimum threshold – a CAF Level B license for such matches.

The Brazilian coach, Roberto Oliveira, was banned by CAF due to lack of CAF A coaching license or an equivalent of UEFA Pro Certificate which is the bare minimum requirement for a coach to lead a team in the competition.

CAF requires coaches handling teams at CAF club championship’s his level to have a CAF Level A coaching license though exceptions can be made for those who have a CAF Level B license.

Gor Mahia FC new coach Roberto Oliveira Goncalves from Brazil addresses players after his introduction to the team at the Two Rivers in Nairobi on October 12, 2020. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

The Brazilian’s qualifications, according to CAF, are equivalent to CAF Level C, which falls below the requirements

Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier confirmed the appointment via the club website, revealing that they are in talks with the continental body regarding Oliveira’s situation.

"We have settled on Sammy Omollo to be our stand-in coach for the team in Rwanda as we try to sort out the current coach issue with CAF. Coach Omollo will lead the technical bench as Roberto is not allowed to be on the touchline until the issue is sorted," said Rachier.

Gor are set to begin their 2020/21 CAF Champions League matches this Saturday with a first leg preliminary tie against APR of Rwanda in Kigali.