Gor Mahia’s interim head coach, Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno, has outlined the steps his team must take to secure a trophy and earn a spot in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup.
His comments followed a hard-fought match that ended in a 1-1 draw against Police FC, the FKF Premier League champions, on a Sunday afternoon at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Lang’ata Barracks, Nairobi.
As anticipation builds for Gor Mahia’s upcoming match against Nairobi United at the Ulinzi Sports Complex—scheduled for the final day of the 2024/2025 domestic season—Otieno emphasized the importance of victory.
“This is like a final for us, and we must emerge victorious,” he declared with determination. “We need to maintain our focus, execute our game plan effectively, and minimize errors to secure the championship on Sunday.”
Zedekiah has served as the team’s head coach twice this season, navigating through challenging circumstances. The club previously explored international coaching options, including Brazilian Leo Neiva and Croatian Sinisa Mihic, both of whom had brief tenures.
In a show of sportsmanship, Otieno acknowledged Police FC for their ability to capitalize on opportunities, which ultimately led them to win the league title.
“They’ve earned their victory, and we respect that,” he stated appreciatively, expressing his gratitude to coach Etienne Ndayiragije and his team.
“Every team in this league had the potential to claim the championship—all matches began on equal footing. Now that we’ve reached matchday 34, it’s clear that Police FC demonstrated impressive consistency this season,” he reflected thoughtfully.
Otieno also discussed the challenges his team faced, particularly the congested fixture list that hampered their performance due to a delayed start stemming from continental commitments.
“We struggled with consistency, which is crucial in the world of football. A steady performance can make all the difference,” he concluded, instilling a sense of urgency and clarity in his players as they prepare for the critical match ahead.