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NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Nairobian

Big trouble at Gor Mahia even before new season begins

Football

By Rodgers Eshitemi | Nov 22, 2020

**Gor Mahia FC players during a training session at the Two Rivers grounds in Nairobi on October 12, 2020. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]**

Trouble has already started at Gor Mahia even before the new season kicks-off with news that head coach Roberto Oliveira will miss the upcoming two-legged CAF Champions League preliminary tie against Rwanda's APR due to lack of proper documentation.

And even as the record Kenyan champions continue to look for a temporary 'qualified' coach as per continental body's requirements, the players have been on a go-slow this week over one-month unpaid salary.

The Brazilian, who replaced Steven Polack last month, is a holder of B License from the Brazilian Federation whose equivalent is a Caf C license lower than the set requirements of a Caf A license, Uefa Pro license or a Pro license from other confederations.

K'Ogalo are set to travel to Kigali for the first leg tie on November 28 before hosting the reverse fixture a week later in Nairobi.

But according to the club's Secretary General Sam Ochola talks are at an advanced stage for either Posta Rangers coach Sammy 'Pamzo' Omollo or KCB's Zedekiah 'Zico' Otieno to temporarily lead the team in their continental assignments.

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"We initially had five people (Jacob Mulee, Francis Kimanzi, Twahir Muhiddin, Zedekiah Otieno, Sammy Omollo) who have those requirements, but we have zeroed in on Omollo and Otieno. We are trying to get one of them on a temporary basis because they are the only ones who are available, " Ochola told Standard Sports yesterday.

**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]**

"We are still negotiating with FKF and their clubs. FKF are involved because they have to cover us as the national governing body. Therefore, our fans should be patient and trust the office;we are going to sort out this mess."

While admitting that the players have failed to train the last few days over unpaid salary, the official revealed they are already in negotiations with another sponsor to come on board.

"It is true the players have been on a go slow. We haven't paid them one month salary because we don't have money. But we are expecting to get in the coming week and settle their salary before travelling to Kigali," said Ochola.

"We are currently in negotiations with a new non-betting sponsor who should come in by January to cater for our short falls."

Asked about the fate of their Brazilian coach, Ochola said: "We are going to resolve the issue and the coach is going to be given his documentation hopefully by next week. It was just a small oversight from our side but this federation is going to standardise his certification.

"We have already met FKF president Nick Mwendwa and he has advised us on how to go about it."

Meanwhile, Kenya U20 national team left for Tanzania yesterday morning ahead of the Cecafa U20 Championships set to kick off today in Arusha.