Gor facing battle to retain players

By Robin Toskin

Gor Mahia face a gargantuan battle to hold on to their on song youngsters when the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) season comes to an end in three weeks time.

FeverPitch understands Mahakama, who have gained promotion to the KPL, intend to lure back Ibrahim Kitawi and several clubs are circling over George "Blackberry" Odhiambo.

Odhiambo has been in inspiring form and along with Kitawi, Cameroonian Baldwin Ngwa, Duncan "Macheda" Owiti and Peter Opiyo, they have fired Gor to fourth place in the KPL.

And the value of the youngsters is bound to skyrocket especially with Kitawi and Odhiambo being called up to Harambee Stars to prepare for World Cup/ Africa Nations Cup qualifier against Nigeria in Nairobi next month.

Midfielder Opiyo has been a consistent figure in coach Antoine Hey’s squad and posted a splendid performance against Tunisia on October 1.

Gor Mahia struggled last season in the league, also suffering a 6-0 aggregate thrashing at the hands of APR Rwanda in the Confederations Cup.

But after prudent signings at the start of the current season under the then coach James Siang’a, K’Ogalo have exceeded expectations, winning 14 matches and raisiing them to dizzying heights this season.

Mahakama coach Sammy Omollo, however, says he is not interested in signing Kitawi. Omollo, a former Gor coach said, he does not want bad blood with his former club and has decided to keep off any of their players.

Major overhaul

He said: "We do not intend to do any major overhaul. We are just looking at signing no more than four players and none of them is from Gor."

Kitawi and Odhiambo, too, said they were hundred per cent committed to Gor Mahia but added they are aware of growing interest in their services.

"I have only heard people saying Mahakama want me back but there is nothing formal that has come through. It is good to know that people out there appreciate what we are doing at Gor, Kitawi said.

Odhiambo, who has notched nine goals for Gor Mahia to move third behind John Baraza (Sofapaka) and Joseph Emeka (Tusker) in the scorers’ chart, said he wants to grow at K’Ogalo.

scoring goals

"It is always every player’s desire to improve his game and hope that he is noticed because of playing well, scoring goals week in week out," Odhiambo said.

Sources confided in FeverPitch that Gor officials are working to see the youngsters offered good deals to to ward off interest from interested clubs.

"Meetings are ongoing with a view to finding means to give the boys good deals. We want to build this team and it would be unthinkable to let go of the boys now," the source said.

Moneyed Sofakapa, who unveil today their Sh12 million-a-year for three years sponsorship deal from cement manufacturers, Blue Triangle, are thought to be the serious candidates to snap up the youngsters.

Sofapaka can wrap up the title chase this weekend if they beat Western Stima in Bukhungu, Kakamega on Saturday and both Mathare United and Tusker fail to win. Mathare United visit Ulinzi while third-placed Tusker travel to Awendo to face Sony Sugar.