Oktay given compassionate leave as Oliech takes over at Gor Mahia

Dennis Oliech (right) and Hassan Oktay. [Jonah Onyango]

Kenyan champions Gor Mahia have granted their coach Hassan Oktay compassionate leave ahead of their Caf Champions League preliminary round against Burundi side Aigle Noir.

Oktay, who helped Gor Mahia to a record-extending 18th Kenyan league title and quarterfinal showing in Caf Champions League left the country yesterday for Turkey.

K’Ogalo have since sounded out injured striker Dennis Oliech to assist Peter Odhiambo ahead of their clash with Aigle Noir in Bujumbura on August 9.

“As Gor Mahia family, we are fully behind Oktay as he seeks to deal with personal issues back home. We have given him a minimum of five days,” club CEO Lordvick Aduda said.

The Turkish-Cypriot coach paid tribute to the Kenyan giants saying the club will always remain in his heart triggering fears he may have left the club for good.

In an interview with Goal.com, Oktay, however, dismissed the notion he was leaving the club because he could not acquire target players.

“They (Gor) are the best club I have ever handled in my entire career and will always keep track with what they are doing even if I don’t return from my leave,” Oktay told Goal.com.

“I am not running away from duty, I only have a few problems which I must sort back home, they have unsettled me and I cannot think. Gor Mahia have now turned their eyes on their experienced striker Oliech to help with coaching duties.

The former Kenya captain is nursing a broken arm and will now have to bring his experience in French clubs AC Nantes, Auxerre and AC Ajaccio to K’Ogalo’s rescue.