Nyaoro: Gor Mahia already planning for Caf Champions League

Gor Mahia will bolster its squad ahead of the anticipated Champions League qualification but the signings will be minimal, Team Manager Victor Nyaoro has said.

Nyaoro feels they need to believe in their current players especially if they win the Kenyan Premier League title, and reward them with the chance to feature at the CAF Champions League.

This comes at a time the Gor family is yearning to see the club at the continentals having missed this season’s edition due to FIFA suspension, having failed to pay former players and coaches.

‘’Definitely we will need to sign more players at the recommendation of the head coach. This will be done with the current players in mind since their contribution so far is amazing, meaning we cannot sign many players at the expense of our existing squad. They also need a taste of the Caf Champions League, should we qualify,’’ said Nyaoro.

In the run-up to retaining their league title, Nyaoro says they are leaving nothing to chance and are currently busy planning for the remaining 10 league matches hoping to stretch their titles tally to a record 21.

Gor are currently top of the table with 50 points from 24 outings.

“Our training is intensive. We are still recovering from the ‘shock’ loss in the hands of Bandari FC in Mombasa. Our target is to go all the way to the finish tape as leaders and bounce back to the continental stage.”

That was their only second loss this season when Bandari FC beat them 1-0 at Mbaraki Stadium after Police FC earlier on broke their unbeaten run on February 3 in Nairobi.

Nyaoro says since they have already accepted the two defeats, their target now is nothing short of winning the title.

The record champions got a reprieve recently when FIFA listed their transfer ban which only lasted three days.

This is after the club leadership convince FIFA, in writing that they had, actually paid their former Malian shot-stopper and accuser Adama Keita who was demanding his dues from Gor, even after ditching the club after only one unsuccessful season.

Gor Mahia will next play seventh-placed Kakamega Homeboyz on April 6 after the International break. The last time the two teams met was in September 23 last year in Kakamega where Gor held the Home boys to a one all.

The Western Kenya side is coached by former Gor Mahia coach Patrick Odhiambo. Last season the Kakamega side finished eighth with 49 points, 21 short of winner Gor Mahia who finished top at 70 points.

Second placed Tusker FC will on the same match day play guests to Kariobangi Sharks in the double header.

The two contenders, Gor and Tusker FC seriously need consistent wins in their remaining matches to determine the next Kenya’s flag bearer at the CAF Champions League.