Ngala says no pressure on Gor coach Pollack

Gor Mahia FC’s deputy secretary general Ronald Ngala says the special meeting it held with coach Steve Pollack was not meant to put derby pressure on him.

Ngala said the meeting, held before Gor played arch-rivals AFC Leopards, was rather a consultative meeting between club and coach that was long overdue.

“Ever since the coach joined us there has been no meeting between him and the technical committee and we thought it wise to meet ahead of the crucial derby. We never put him under any pressure,’’ Ngala said.

His sentiments were echoed by Pollack himself who denied he was served an ultimatum to win the derby or face possible sack.

“I knew the derby was going be tough so I prepared my boys well knowing the expectations of the fans and the team as a whole,” Pollack said.

Ngala said among the things they briefed the coach was about the importance of the derby and the history that awaits if Gor retain their KPL title.

“We are on the verge of making history as the first club in Kenya to have won the title four consecutive times. It was important to tell the coach about our expectations, but I repeat, it was without any pressure.’’

Ngala says they are targeting a treble this season having won the super cup at the beginning of the season edging Bandari 1-0 at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Augusr 19 2019.

They are now targeting their 19th league title as well as reclaiming the shield they last won in 2012. They face mailmen Posta Rangers this Saturday at Nakuru’s  Afraha Stadium in the Shield’s  round of 16.

“Winning this shield will be a big boost for the club as it is the only tournament that has real monetary value. Remember KPL has not paid us for winning last season’s title and also part of the previous season’s win.’’

The betting firm sponsored Shield pays the winners Sh2 million with the runners up bagging a cool Sh1 million.