No money for Angola trip, Gor’s Rachier cry

Just a day after thrashing Egyptian giants Zamalek 4-2 in CAF Confederation Cup tie, Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier now claims the club lacks  funds to purchase air tickets for their second Group D match against Petro Atletico of Angola set for February 13 in Luanda.

Rachier revealed they have written to the Ministry of Sports, Culture and the Arts to seeking to be bailed out, noting the club lacks budget for continental assignments.

Rachier further says funds from the club sponsor only cater for players and technical bench salaries, as well as local travel only.

In addition, the Gor chief said the Ksh. 27 million CAF kitty  for group stage qualification has not been wired into their account yet, further putting their Angola trip preparations in limbo.

“As it stands now the only way is the Government intervention through the Ministry that will help us. We had a similar arrangement before, and helped us a great deal. We have to concede among the hindrances to Gor Mahia’s journey in continental competitions is money. The team has proved that will money and all good support anything is possible,” told Rachier.

During their playoffs prior to the group stage qualification, Gor Mahia were bailed out by the Sports Ministry to fly to Cameroon to face New Star de Douala after sending a similar formal request.

Gor’s 4-2 victory over Zamalek has given them a flying start in group D of the CAF Cup, putting the Kenyan champions at the summit of  group D after their next group opponents Petro Atletico of Angola fell 2-1 to Na Hussein Dey of Algeria.

This means Na Hussein Dey who have three points like Gor are second but dwarfed by goal difference, while Zamalek is tucked in the third position with the Angola representatives trailing the pool.

Prior to Sunday’s clash,  Gor last hosted Zamalek  in 1998 at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani and won 1-0 courtesy of a goal by Dennis Oliech’ elder brother, the late Steve Okumu.

Coincidentally, 21 years later Oliech scored a super goal in the dying minutes of the similar fixture which he dedicated to his late brother Okumu.

He celebrated this goal with outstretched hands the same way Okumu did when he scored for Gor Mahia against Zamalek in Nairobi in 1998.

History has it that Zamalek has never beaten Gor Mahia on home soil and vice versa.

Poor third

Last season Gor Mahia made it to the group stages but finished a poor third to forfeit their group lead to eventual quarter finalists USM Alger of Algeria and Rwanda powerhouse Rayon Sport.