Former international Noah Abich has explained why another change to the Gor Mahia technical bench will affect their quest to win a third straight Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League title.
The record league champions are going through a rough patch that has seen them lose four matches so far this season. Infact, they are winless from the last three matches with their last victory coming in a 3-2 result against FC Talanta on December 4th.
After the Talanta fixture, they suffered a shock 1-0 defeat against Bidco United, drew 1-1 against Shabana FC and lost 1-0 against Kenya Police. The team’s other defeats in the league were 2-1 against Nairobi City Stars and 2-0 against Bandari FC away in Mombasa.
After the opening six matches, Gor Mahia fired head coach Leonardo Martins Neiva and replaced him with former player and Harambee Stars defender Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno. In total, Otieno has overseen six matches, winning three – 2-0 against Homeboyz and 2-0 against promoted Mara Sugar, 3-2 against Talanta, drawing one and losing two.
His performances have already started to raise concerns among K’Ogalo faithful with a section of them calling for his resignation. During the last two games against Shabana and the defeat against Police, a section of K’Ogalo fans accosted Otieno at the final whistle seeking answers for the poor run of results.
He was forced to address the fans but as things stand, his reign at the club could come to an end if he suffers defeat in the next fixture against Ulinzi Stars at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Wednesday, December 18th.
Not the right time to fire Otieno
According to Abich, changing the technical for the second time could stall K’Ogalo’s ambitions to win another league title at the end of the season.
“I don’t think it will be fair to fire Otieno, he only took over the other day and should be given time to do the job,” Abich told Flashscore. “He is a coach I know very well, and he understands what Gor Mahia requires, he has been with the team more than any other person and knows them in and out.
“He played for Gor Mahia for many years, he won league titles with the team as a player, he has coached them not once but I guess on several occasions, he understands what the club wants, he knows the philosophy of the club, he knows what the club wants to achieve, and so giving him time is the right thing for the club to do.”
Abich further called on K’Ogalo players to double their efforts and fight for the badge. “At some point I also fault the player, when I look at how they play nowadays, they don’t fight for the badge, they don’t give their all, they don’t have the desire to play for the team and get results,” explained Abich.
“It is high time the players realized the importance of wearing the Gor Mahia jersey, Gor Mahia is a big team, and it is known all over Africa. When they (players) enter the pitch they must show character and the fighting spirit, those two things are currently missing, and so before we talk about the coach (not performing), the players should also pull up their socks and play for the badge.”
Abich’s sentiments were echoed by former Gor Mahia official Sally Bolo, who defended coach Otieno from the poor results and blamed the players for not playing as a unit.
“I believe something is seriously off at Gor Mahia, and coaching isn’t the issue. The real problem lies with the players; there’s no teamwork at all, and everyone seems to be doing their own thing on and off the pitch. It’s time for the squad to adjust their attitude and start playing as a unit,” said Bolo.
Otieno’s ‘last chance’ as Gor face Ulinzi Stars
Gor Mahia will return to action seeking to make amends when they face the Soldiers in one of the 12 matches lined up from Wednesday to Sunday, December 22nd. Last season. Gor Mahia won the first meeting 1-0 before the two sides battled to a 0-0 draw in the second meeting.
In the last six league matches, Ulinzi Stars are yet to beat Gor Mahia. K’Ogalo have managed three wins with the other three matches ending in draws. The previous season saw the first leg end 1-1 before Gor Mahia won the return fixture 2-0.
In another match set for Wednesday, fresh from gunning down K’Ogalo, Kenya Police will come up against FC Talanta. The law enforcers are in a run of four straight wins since hiring the services of Burundian coach Etienne Ndayiragije.
His first game in charge was a 3-1 win against Nairobi City Stars, then a 1-0 win against promoted outfit Mara Sugar, a resounding 3-0 win against Bidco United before masterminding a 1-0 win against Gor Mahia.
On Saturday, December 21st, Posta Rangers will take on Tusker FC, Police will host Kakamega Homeboyz, Bidco United will come up against Sofapaka, Mathare United will host Shabana while table leaders KCB will confront Mara Sugar.
On Sunday, Talanta will host Murang’a Seal, Gor Mahia will come up against Kariobangi Sharks, AFC Leopards will host Bandari while Ulinzi Stars will be at home against Nairobi City Stars.