Harambee Stars Goalkeeper Reveals Main Reason Gor Mahia Signed Bulk of CHAN 2024 Standouts

Gor Mahia moved with speed to sign most of the players who impressed at CHAN 2024 and it has been revealed why K’Ogalo proved to be an attractive destination.

Harambee Stars goalkeeper Faruk Shikalo has given reasons why Gor Mahia attracted most of the players who were outstanding at the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN 2024).

Gor Mahia had a good number of their players in Benni McCarthy’s team that reached the quarter-final of CHAN 2024 but also benefited big time from the tournament.

Following their successful run, K’Ogalo acted quickly and signed a big number of players who impressed, with goalkeeper Byrne Omondi, right-back Lewis Bandi, centre-back Michael Kibwage and left-back Siraj Mohammed joining in one swoop.

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Shikalo says it is because Gor Mahia are among a handful of teams that pay a handsome signing-on fee which is a major attraction to players.

“In Kenyan football, there is a signing-on fee but it is not much. And then again, these club chairmen speak to each other so only the top teams, Police, AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia pay a good amount,” Shikalo said on TikiTaka Show.

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“That is why 80 per cent of the CHAN squad was signed by Gor Mahia. But these other teams, the chairmen speak and tell each other the little amount they have paid you. So, most of the teams do not pay much, only a handful of teams do that.”

Shikalo is a man who is familiar with signing-on fees as he is a well-travelled player who has played for several teams in Kenya and East Africa.

The goalkeeper has played for Muhoroni Youth, Posta Rangers, Tusker FC and Bandari in Kenya as well as Yanga and Mtibwa Sugar in Tanzania among others.

Kenyan players have a tendency of signing short-term contracts, running them down, and then looking for clubs that pay a higher signing-on fee.