Gor Mahia pardons ten suspended players
By Cecil OdongoGor Mahia coach Johnathan McKinistry says the ten players who were recently suspended by the club on disciplinary grounds have been pardoned.
The Irish man in an interview with Nairobi News added his focus has shifted to improving the side and winning silverware with the 19-time Football Kenya Federation Premier League champions.
“The Suspended players are all back in the team,” said McKinistry.
K’Ogalo management suspended the players on August 4, after they reportedly went on strike over a pay dispute Among the players suspended were George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo, Dennis Ng’ang’a, Boniface Omondi, Alpha Onyango, Sydney Ochieng’ Ernest Wendo, Benson Omalla, John Ochieng and Austin Odhiambo.
They were given seven days to show cause for their action. However, the 37 years old tactician didn’t elaborate on the process which led to the players being readmitted to the team.
On the transfer embargo put on the club by Fifa, the tactician said he is ready to use available players until January where he will assess gaps after the new season kicks off, then reinforce the squad once the ban is lifted.
“As a head coach, the three key arrears where I can have a big impact is on recruitment strategy, improvement of existing players and setting high standards. Obviously the ability to launch our transfer strategy is something that we have to be patient with until January,” added McKinistry who was appointed K’Ogalo Head Coach on July 29.
He revealed that there is a massive talent which has been displayed by the youth team players and a plan is on in promoting some of them who have really impressed to the senior team.
“The young players have competed well thus far. As such some will stay with the first team, whilst others will return to the youth group and continue to be monitored with a view to giving them more opportunities so as to prove themselves in the future,” he asserted.
K’Ogalo players have been going on with their preseason training sessions at Camp Toyoyo Grounds with just three weeks before the FKF-PL 2022/23 season kicks off on September 10.
However, it is not yet clear if they will go on a preseason tour of their Nyanza support base to face teams from the region in friendly matches as it has been the norm.
The club on July 12 nailed a three-year sponsorship with betting firm Betafriq which amounted to Sh229.5 million. The sponsorship is expected to change their financial fortunes once the new season kicks off.