Gor Mahia midfielder offers brutal response to critics over lack of pre-season out of Kenya

Photo Credit: Gor Mahia

FOOTBALL Gor Mahia midfielder offers brutal response to critics over lack of pre-season out of Kenya

Joel Omotto 13:47 - 12.08.2023

Austin Odhiambo has slammed those making fun of K’Ogalo for opting to prepare for the new season in Kenya rather than traverse the region like their rivals

Gor Mahia midfielder Austin Odhiambo has dismissed sentiments that K’Ogalo have not had proper pre-season since they have not travelled out of the country like some of their local rivals.

A section of Gor fans have raised concerns last week over what they term ‘inadequate’ preparations for the Football Kenya Federation Premier League champions ahead of their title defence this month.

Gor have been going about their business quietly while their league rivals traverse the region as part of their tune up ahead of the 2023-24 season.

So far, Kenya Police have been in Tanzania and Rwanda while Bandari were also across the border for a series of friendlies. Meanwhile, Kakamega Homeboyz have been in Uganda while Tusker are in Tanzania where they have played friendly matches.

This, while Gor have pitched camp in Thika where they played friendly matches against Bidco United last weekend.

However, Odhiambo does not believe pre-season out of the country will contribute to positive results next season, drawing comparisons with his side’s similar arrangement ahead of the 2022-23 campaign when they won the championship.

“Pre-season has been good but I know fans like to see us go somewhere because this is Gor Mahia,” said Odhiambo.

“They see other teams going out of the country and playing international friendlies but if you look at last season, our friendlies were not international. We stayed local and at the end of the season, we were champions.

“Preparations have been good, we believe and trust in what the coach is doing and what he is demanding from us. We may have been quiet but we have been working very well.”

Since missing out on the chance to feature in next season’s CAF Champions League, K’Ogalo went lowkey with Jonathan McKinstry opting to fine tune his players away from Nairobi.

Gor’s new players have also been training with the squad and are set to be registered after the club had their transfer ban lifted by FIFA after clearing pending payments to former players.

Fans will get a glimpse of how well K’Ogalo are prepared for their title defence when Gor face Kakamega Homeboyz in the FKF Charity Shield at Kasarani Stadium on Saturday.