Gor Mahia Begin FKF Premier League Title Defense Against Mathare
Gor Mahia captain Philemon Otieno believes that their recent experience in the CAF Champions League will play a crucial role in their quest to defend the FKF Premier League title.
As the team prepares for their season opener against newly promoted Mathare United, Otieno is confident that the lessons learned from their challenging campaign in Africa will provide them with a competitive advantage in the domestic league.
Gor Mahia’s journey in the CAF Champions League came to a disappointing end following a 6-0 aggregate defeat at the hands of reigning champions Al Ahly. After a 3-0 loss at home in the first leg at Nyayo National Stadium, the Kenyan giants suffered another 3-0 defeat in Cairo, amidst internal issues, including disciplinary actions that saw two players, including Rooney Onyango, left out of the squad.
Despite the disappointing exit, Otieno remains optimistic about the team’s future. He views their participation in the Champions League as a valuable learning experience that will fuel their title defense in the FKF Premier League.
“We have learned valuable lessons from playing at such a high level, and now it’s time to apply those lessons to the league,” Otieno stated.
Gor Mahia had a turbulent offseason after winning their league title last June. Following the departure of coach Johnathan McKinstry, the club appointed Leo Neiva as the new head coach.
However, results in regional competitions were underwhelming, with an early exit in the CECAFA Kagame Cup group stage and a missed opportunity in the inaugural Cole City Cup. The team also faced internal conflicts, as players staged a strike over prize money disputes, though the issue was resolved internally.
One of the few bright spots for Gor Mahia was their dominant 5-1 victory over South Sudan’s El Merreikh Beintu in the second leg of the CAF Champions League first preliminary round. Otieno emphasized that the team remains focused on carrying the positives from their continental campaign into domestic success.
Gor Mahia will begin their delayed FKF Premier League season on Saturday against Mathare United, a team that has struggled to find form since returning to the top flight, with two draws and one defeat so far.
“Our history with Mathare isn’t bad, but they are a strong team, and that’s why they are back in the league. We need to be perfect in all areas to get the maximum points and start the season on a high note,” Otieno added.
As the most successful club in Kenyan football, Gor Mahia is determined to secure their 22nd league title. Otieno made it clear that their ambition is to maintain dominance in the domestic league. “Our goal is to continue dominating the local league, and that’s why we need to ensure we pick up as many points as possible in every game,” he concluded.
