Gor official Ngala eyeing trophy laden 2017 season

Kenyan Premier League (KPL) giants Gor Mahia are setting their sights on a trophy laden 2017 season as they seek to vanquish memories of their previous campaign devoid of silverware.

Speaking ahead of the club’s trip to Sudan scheduled for Friday, Deputy Organizing Secretary Ronald Ngala backed the 15-time national champions to bounce back in style.

“Every time a new season is kicking off any serious club will tell you they want trophies, from the management to the fans. Expectations are very high for this season (2017) and we are ready for it.

“We want to start with the DSTV Supper Cup on January 29 and set the mood for the entire season, we want to win everything,” Ngala said.

With the K’Ogalo slated to play country’s giants Al Hilal on January 17, Ngala has warned defending champions Tusker FC – whom they play in the league’s curtain raiser – to expect a tough battle citing their high profile signings as their statement of intent.

“This season is going to be different. We have new players in the squad that we believe will cover the areas the coach struggled in last season. We lost the title to Tusker though with a few points but we are fixing every loophole ahead of the season.

“The friendly against Ah Hilal will be very important to the coach as he watches the new inclusions in the team. They invited us to play them again because we beat them in last year’s pre-season match at their home ground, and were happy with the challenge we posed,” he told.

Gor have already roped in former Azam FC midfielder Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza, 2016 KPL Most Valuable Player Kenneth Muguna, prolific goal scorer Jeconiah Uyoga from Technical University of Kenya (TUK), Geoffrey Simiyu from Muhoroni Youth and John Ndirangu who crossed over from rivals AFC Leopards.

Other new acquisitions include midfielder Oliver Maloba who penned a three year contract from relegated side Nairobi City Stars,  midfielder Philemon Otieno, goalkeeper Shaban Odhoji who switched allegiance as a free agent from league rivals Ushuru and Kakamega High student Alpha Onyango who has signed an initial four-year contract with the club.

Ngala further said in their new additions is a perfect replacement for the departed left full-backs Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma and Rwandese Abouba Sibomana.

“The coach has options in Godffrey Walusimbi who originally played in that position, and Simiyu. Simiyu is a versatile player and has a big potential considering his exploits at Muhoroni,” explained Ngala.

Regarding Enoch Agwanda’s exclusion from the travelling party to Sudan, he revealed his contract extension talks are yet to materialize, though both parties are in advanced stage on the same. Agwanda’s contract ran out on December 31, 2016.

According to Ngala, Gor will play Uganda’s premier league side Onduparaka FC in another friendly outside Kenya before the local championship starts.

Ngala has also hailed the CAF club licensing development but expressed his reservations on the timelines Football Kenya Federation (FKF) gave for compliance.

“It is a very good idea that will help professionalize our football. The only thing that FKF should have done is helping our clubs technically to comply and give enough time for the same.

“Looking at the countries that have fully implemented it like Morocco, South Africa and Algeria, their local federations gave maximum support because it is not easy.

“CAF started the plan three years ago but our federation delayed in introducing it until June 2016, so the notice for compliance was very short considering the high demands set in the licensing criteria” concluded Ngala.

His sentiments come after Sofapaka, Thika United and Muhoroni Youth were relegated by FKF for failure to comply.

Gor has a provisional license, having not met the basic requirements for full licensing.