Gor skipper Muguna welcomes Tribunal ruling, says hard work begins

Milton Ochieng Beat writer, Gor Mahia

Gor Mahia captain Kenneth Muguna says they have welcomed yesterday’s Sports Dispute Tribunal ruling that handed them the 2019/2020 season’s title after a long standoff between Kenya’s football governing body FKF and the Kenyan Premier League Limited, a tussle that ended in the corridors of Justice.

Tuesday evening, SDT dismissed a petition by the Kenyan Premier League and upheld the decision by FKF to declare Gor, as last season’s champions.

‘’We are now certain of the title and can now start planning for the new season. We have been kept guessing for so long and the ruling is a big relief to the camp,’’ said Muguna.

The Kenyan international midfielder however says they will have an uphill task in their continental assignments saying composing a winning team is not easy and especially after the exodus of key players from the team.

Muguna says most of the players who left had the required experience for the continental duties but is optimistic the head coach will play his role to build a winning team after the mass recruitment of new players.

“‘As usual when players leave and new players come in, it is not easy to quickly make a good combination. But I am confident any player picked to join Gor is a winner. So it will all be about confidence, hard work and prayers and we shall make it.’’

Citizen Digital also understands  Gor Mahia have been holding light training sessions at Jericho’s Camp Toyoyo  grounds in anticipation of the new season.

On whether or not they will shine on the local scene and at the continental level, Muguna insists  they have enough players, the new recruits and the players who remained with the team, adding that those who prove their worth will easily participate in all assignments.

“Playing for a big team is a big task and requires commitment. Playing for Gor is not just playing but playing to win. We want to win titles and that is our mission. We are not so depressed about the departure of our players since players come and go. We shall rebuild very quickly.’’

After the SDT ruling last evening, Gor are now the official representatives of Kenya at next year’s Africa’s most prestigious club tournament, the CAF Champions League as well as the CECAFA Club Championship. In most occasions, the local giants have failed to go past the group stages but Muguna believes they will make it this time round.

Meanwhile Gor tactician Steve Pollack is still abroad for a 10-day holiday and is expected to land back later in the week to start planning for the season even though his assistant Patrick Odhiambo is said to be already on the track with the players.

With the introduction of a betting firm shirt sponsor, the club expects to have less financial woes, the ghost that traumatized them last season and which has led to the exodus of players from their camp.