Trouble for Gor as trip to South Africa hangs in the balance

Gor Mahia have been left scratching their heads in a last-ditch effort to salvage a trip to South Africa for the Caf- Confederation return leg match.

Gor are caught between a rock and a hard place after the government failed to release the funds for the trip. Also, the 19-man squad and officials penciled to fly to Pretoria for the match are yet to the get their visas.

This has compounded Gor’s misery with the problem threatening to degenerate into a crisis.

Should K’Ogalo fail to travel down south to honour the match they’ll attract the ire of the continental soccer body Caf who could slap them with heavy fines.

The team was penciled to jet out Monday morning but have had to change plans as they scamper to get every travel detail in order before heading to the airport.

In an interview with Citizen Digital club boss Ambrose Rachier confirmed that the club has no money to purchase the air tickets for the trip.

“We have no money for air tickets, we are trying our best to see that we travel to South Africa this evening but from the look of things all is not well.

“The government supported us in the Tunisia trip, but this time round we have not heard from them, we are hoping by the close of business today we will get help or else we might fail to  travel ,” said Rachier.

The chairman also confirmed that they have not received the visas for the players and officials.

“We are yet to receive our visas. Our officials are at the embassy trying to secure them before time runs out,” he added.

Apart from the travel hitch and the financial mess, K’Ogalo will also be without auxiliary attacker Godfrey Walusimbi who will once again be left behind when the team jets out to the Rainbow Nation, assuming they sort out the travel mess.

According to head coach Dylan Kerr, Walusimbi is yet to resolve his contractual issues with the club hence won’t be part of the 19- member squad.

“Walusimbi has not been in training because he is still doing his negotiations, but his absence will not affect the team’s performance. We have prepared well and are ready for the fight,” he said.

The Uganda Cranes defender last appearance for K’Ogalo was against Esperance in the Caf-Champions League first leg match  played in  Machakos and but Kerr insists his team has enough depth to cover up for his absence.

“He is a great player.We hope he will resolve the issue with the management but we have other quality players to play in that position and that’s why we have been winning games,”he added.

Walusimbi is not the only casualty missing the second leg as burly holding midfielder Ernest Wendo is suspended for the high stakes clash, and will play no role in the match having accumulated two yellow-cards in the competition.

Kerr went on: “It’s unfortunate he won’t play but will have a plan to cope without him,”Kerr said of Wendo who has been pivotal in offering protection to the back-four.

Speculation was rife that Ivorian striker would also not board the plane to Pretoria after he picked a collar-bone injury and missed several training sessions, but the Briton has sought to allay those fears.“Guikan is fit and ready to play,” Kerr told Citizen Digital.

K’Ogalo are aiming at sealing a historic slot into the group stages and need to avoid defeat in the return leg set for Wednesday at the  multi-purpose 28,900 seater capacity Lucas “Masterpieces” Moripe Stadium located in Atteridgeville, Pretoria.

The Premier League champions hold a slender advantage of making it to the money-minting group stages having won 1-0 in the first leg played at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos but will have to be at their best defensively and offensively if they are to pocket a staggering Sh27 million which is in store for the winner.