Congested fixtures hurting Gor, says coach Van Pinto

Gor Mahia FC coach Carlos Manuel Van Pinto says fatigue is taking a major toll on his players as they endure a run of congested fixtures to clear their backlog of FKF Premier League matches.

Gor, who have catching up to do following their involvement in continental matches and a broadcast row with FKF, have played six matches in only 21 days and Van Pinto believes that strain is a major contributor to the under-performance.

‘’Our boys are not getting enough time to prepare for matches. The fixtures are congested and this is not good for us,’’ explained Pinto.

Pinto who has led the local giants in four league matches since he signed with them said his boys are good but rued missed chances saying his boys need to be more clinical.

‘’If only we can convert the numerous chances we keep creating, Gor can remain the undisputed title contenders. But I am working on the finishing part which is still our major undoing,’’ he said.

Gor overpowered Kericho-based side Zoo FC 3-0 with Samwel Onyango, Kenneth Muguna and Sydney Wahongo on the scoresheet to lift the champions into seventh on the standings.

Gor will face Napsa Stars of Zambia on February 14 in Nairobi in the group stage qualifiers of the CAF Confederations Cup with the return leg set for a week later.

This will be Pinto’s first international assignment with Gor and he will be hoping to make an impression at this level after Gor were humiliated and dropped from the African top tier CAF Champions League in a double legged fixture that saw Algeria’s CR Belouizdad beat them 8-1 on aggregate.