Confederation of African Football (CAF) has ordered Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Nick Mwendwa to delicense Premier League champions, Gor Mahia Football Club.
Gor, also known as K’Ogalo, was kicked out of the CAF Champions League for failing to meet the CAF Club Licensing Rules in an announcement made on Thursday, July 20.
CAF alleged that Gor Mahia had failed to meet several requirements, including having a valid licence and providing financial guarantees for three players yet to be paid.
As a result of the decision, Gor Mahia will not be able to participate in the CAF Champions League this season.
The club may also be subjected to a fine of Ksh1.4 million ($10,000) or more as may be decided by the CAF Champions League dispute resolution committee.
CAF’s decision to kick Gor Mahia out of the Champions League is a blow to the club and Kenyan football, which has been struggling to get back to its feet after the ban imposed by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) was lifted.
Football experts warned that the CAF ruling was a reminder that the country needs to prioritise club licensing requirements.
In July 2022, CAF launched a new Club Licensing Online Platform (CLOP) designed to manage the licensing process and stadium inspections for continental and domestic competitions.
The Football Kenya Federation (FKF), in 2016, announced plans to have clubs, participating in top-tier and second-tier leagues, licensed. Before being licensed, clubs ought to have proven their financial stability, well-structured offices, and certified employees.
Meanwhile, Gor Mahia is one of Kenya’s biggest clubs, having won the Kenyan Premier League more than 20 times.
K’Ogalo also won the CAF Cup Winners’ Cup in 1987, making them the first and only Kenyan club to win an African continental title.
