Gor Mahia drops Kenneth Muguna as team captain

Former Everton star Wayne Rooney in action against Gor Mahia stars in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on July 13, 2017. [Stafford Ondego/Standard]

Perennial Kenya Premier League (KPL champions Gor Mahia have dropped midfielder Kenneth Muguna as team captain, replacing him with returning defender Harun Shakava.

Shakava’s appointment comes ahead of Monday’s FKF Premier League match against Bidco United.

‘’Our new Captain is Harun Shakava with effect from today. He will be assisted by Philemon Otieno. This appointment will mark his second time being the captain,’’ K’Ogalo chairman Ambrose Rachier said in a statement on Friday.

Shakava rejoined the club in February from Nkana of Zambia and was an integral part of Gor Mahia before he left the club as a captain.

Shakava had a successful career at K'Ogalo, winning five league titles and other domestic trophies after making over 200 appearances across all competitions since joining them in 2014 from Kakamega Homeboyz.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed three weeks ago they opened disciplinary proceedings against Muguna and goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch following the incident that happened after their Confederation Cup fixture match against Napsa Stars.

Gor Mahia were eliminated from the competition by the Zambian heavyweights after a 2-2 draw in the return leg staged at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka that saw the hosts take a 3-2 aggregate advantage as Napsa had won the first leg played in Nairobi 1-0.

Captain Harun Shakava Gor Mahia FC during 15th Edition of Total Confederation African Football Cup match against Young African FC at Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani Stadium on Wednesday July 18, 2018. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

However, after the 2-2 draw in Lusaka, Gor Mahia’s players allegedly confronted the referee after he awarded the home team a penalty in the 94th minute, which was converted by Emmanuel Mayuka to knock out Kogalo.

In a letter signed by Raymond Hack, the chairman of the CAF disciplinary committee, the football body opened investigations into the incidents.

CAF singled out Oluoch and Muguna as the ones to be questioned.

The two were accused of accosting and insulting the centre referee Lebalang Mokete after the match. The investigations are underway.

Harambee Stars' Captain Kenneth Muguna playing against Taifa Stars of Tanzania during a friendly match at Nyayo National stadium on Monday, March 15, 2021. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]