FKF ask CAF to replace Gor Mahia with Tusker in CAF Champions League

Tusker players celebrate winning the 2021/22 league title. Photo Credit: Tusker

FOOTBALL FKF ask CAF to replace Gor Mahia with Tusker in CAF Champions League

Mark Kinyanjui 14:59 - 23.07.2023

Tusker were already granted their CAF license alongside Homeboyz and Gor in mid-June.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) CEO Barry Otieno has confirmed the federation has pleaded with CAF not to give away Kenya’s CAF Champions League slot, with Tusker FC the side forwarded to replace Gor Mahia in the competition next season.

On Friday, the federation’s First Instance Board decided to revoke Gor Mahia’s license upon CAF's consultation after K’Ogalo “violated its obligation” in failing to pay some of the former players on time.

However, Barry says that the federation does not want a Kenyan club to fail to participate in Africa’s premier competition for the second year in a row, hence why they have proposed Tusker, last season’s league runners-up, to take their place.

“At the moment, we are in a situation where we are not supposed to lose the CAF Champions League slot,” Otieno told Radio 47, “Last season, we did not have a representative in the Champions League because of suspension and it will be the second time we may not,” he added.

“We have spoken to CAF and asked them to keep the slot open for us. They have not gotten back to us so I do not want to say that Tusker will play until they give us a solution.

“However, we can confirm that we have pleaded with CAF not to give our slot away.”

Tusker were denied a chance to take part in the Champions League in 2022 owing to the ban imposed on Kenyan football by FIFA, having won the now voided 2021/2022 season.

The Brewers lost the title to Gor by just one point, making them the next logical representatives for the competition. They were granted their license alongside Homeboyz and Gor in mid-June, so it may not bring complications should CAF approve FKF’s request.

“Tusker has no debt towards any player. Remember that Kakamega Homeboyz, Tusker and Gor had already been granted their licenses before, so they are still legible.”