Record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia bundled out of African prestigious clubs’ competition – CAF Confederation Cup on Sunday 5th December 2021.
K’Ogalo lost 2-1 on aggregate to AS Otoho d’Oyo of the Republic of Congo, The results compound another poor season for Kenyan most celebrated club in the CAF competition.
With Kenya Shilling 27 million for the grab, K’Ogalo needed a good goal margin to grab the CAF logistical grant for the group stage but missed it convincingly after a 1-1 draw at Nyanyo National Stadium.
Gor Mahia is the last Kenyan club to feature in the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup in the 2018/19 season. The team lost 7-1 on aggregate to RS Berkane of Morocco in the quarter-final stage.
In the two previous seasons, ‘K’Ogalo’ have exited the competition in the play-off stage in the hands of DC Motema Pembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Napsa Stars of Zambia.
Gor couldn’t register enough players for the continental showpiece between July and August in the transfer window as the club was serving Fifa ban for failing to pay salary arrears owed to Dickson Ambudo, Shafiq Batambuze, and former coach Steven Pollack.
Even after clearing with the duo in October, the club was banned for two years just weeks later for failing to pay Sh3 million owed to Ghanaian midfielder Jackson Owusu.
That means the earliest Gor Mahia can sign a player is in January 2023 even if they clear Owusu’s dues. In his statement, head coach Mark Harison alluded to the lack of enough players to stage a fight in the CAF CC stage.
“This competition requires good depth in the squad. We have good players and had we registered them for the tournament, should have advanced to the next round. We live to fight another day,” said Harrison.
Gor Mahia will now shift focus to the local league and fight for another chance to play in CAF competitions next season.