Gor to sign six before close of January transfer window

Gor Mahia FC chairman Ambrose Rachier has said Brazilian Striker Wilson Silva Fosenca will be signed by the club only upon approval by coach Manuel Van Pinto.

The Brazilian arrived in the country last night and joined Gor’s training camp but no agreement has been signed between him and the Kenyan champions.

Rachier says the player is on trials alongside five other players who could be recruited before the close of the January window as they seek to bolster their squad for continental assignments.

“Wilson is here for trials and will only be signed upon approval by the coach. He trained with us this morning and the coach will make a decision tomorrow if he is worth signing,” Rachier said.

Gor, whose opening start to their domestic and continental season has been nowhere near fanciful, are keen to add more quality and depth on their squad with a Confederation Cup clash against Napsa Stars set for February 14 now just two weeks away.

“They will only play for us at the continental level if we manage to get to the group stage. As for now, they will not play against Napsa Stars on February 14. We have a target prompting more signings.’’

Rachier however did not disclose the identity of the five remaining players but admitted that some of them are known to the coach and are foreigners.

“We will let the public know after we are done with trials. As for now I can only confirm that we are recruiting a total of six new players,’’ he added.

The big task ahead of Gor is going past the Zambian outfit Napsa Stars at the qualifiers with some of its former players featuring for the Zambian side. Shot stopper Shaban Odhoji, striker Timothy Otieno and Kenyan international full back David Owino ’Calabar’ are former KÓgalo players now with Napsa Stars.

Owino will however not feature in their first meeting in Nairobi having signed just recently and can only feature for the Zambians if they overcome Gor and advance to the group stage.

Gor’s form has been inconsistent locally and most disappointing is the 1-0 loss to Vihiga United, a team that narrowly survived relegation last season making a comeback after a narrow win against Kisumu All Stars in the play offs.

In an earlier interview, Coach Manuel Vas Pinto admitted there was lapse in the finishing and promised to work on the striking department ahead of the continental assignments.

This could be the second time Gor sign a Brazilian striker after the club recruited Thiago Da Silva in 2016.

The then coach Jose Ferreira ‘Ze Maria’ had brought in Thiago to assist Jacques Tuyisenge upfront but after an underwhelming stay was let go just after just six months.