Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier has explained the reasons behind why the side recruited nine new players ahead following the start of the new FKFPL campaign.
On Saturday, K’ogalo acquired the signing of Rodgers Ouma from Tusker, making him the ninth player to enter the door this transfer window, which will give head coach Johnathan McKinstry plenty of options as he attempts to help defend the title this season.
Rachier said that the club had been forced to rely on a core of youthful players from the academy over the last two years to try and stay competitive, circumstances he described as “a long lul”
“We got nine new players and as you all know, we have been, for a long time we have not been able to recruit new players owing to FIFA ban,” Rachier told the club’s media team.
“Following the ban, we have been relying mostly on our youth team whenever we get an opportunity, we have only taken one or two so this time we got the ban lifted and thought we would go on the offensive and get as many players to boost our squad after a long lul when we were not able to do any kind of recruitment.”
Gor Mahia were stripped off their 2023/2024 CAF Champions League license for failing to settle their debts with three of their former players, with one of them, Sando Yangayay taking the club to court for that reason.
Rachier insists that signing almost an entire new starting eleven will give the them time to gel this season, which will then allow them to qualify for the CAF Champions League next year, after which minimal additions will be made.
“One of our aims was to participate in the CAF Competitions which we were denied recently just when we started preparing to go for this 2023/2024 Champions League. This is preparation so that come next year, we will have a team will have gelled very well.”
Gor started their season with a 1-1 draw against Sofapaka at the Kasarani Stadium on Saturday.
