Record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia have appointed a new captain as the 21-time Kenyan champions fight for the 2024/25 Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League crown.
SportPesa Blog can confirm that experienced goalkeeper Gad Mathew has been appointed as the new captain by head coach Sinisa Mihic, taking over from long-serving Philemon Otieno.
The former Kisumu All-Stars custodian, who won the Golden Glove in Gor Mahia’s title-winning 2022/23 campaign, wore the armband for the first time on Monday as K’Ogalo secured a crucial three points in a narrow 0-1 victory over KCB in Machakos.
In the win that saw Gor close the gap to leaders Kenya Police to only three points with a game in hand, Gad made crucial saves in keeping a clean sheet that helped Gor to their thirteenth win of the season.
Speaking shortly after the win and confirm the latest development, Gad expressed his delight for the new role as he thanked Mihic for throwing his weight behind him.
“Wearing this armband comes with great responsibility and I appreciate the support that the coach gave me and the support that my teammates have given me.
Having the armband is a huge responsibility that comes with a lot of responsibility but we will do it as a team,” he told SportPesa Blog.
Gor Mahia keep title hopes alive
The former Kariobangi Sharks stopper also lauded his team for showing character in the win against KCB, especially after title-challengers Kenya Police and Tusker had dropped points in their games against Nairobi City Stars and Mara Sugar respectively.
“My teammates did a good job today. Everyone pushed themselves to the limit because it was a must-win match as we needed to close the gap being that the people we want to catch up with dropped points yesterday,” he said.
Gad takes over from Otieno who has found a place in the starting eleven difficult to come by after being overtaken by the departed Ronney Onyango and now Paul Ochuoga.
Gor Mahia face Bandari in FKF Cup
Gor Mahia have nine games to go in the league and sit in third place on 46 points, three behind leaders Kenya Police and two behind second-placed Tusker.
K’Ogalo will shift their attention to the 2024/25 FKF Cup this weekend as they travel to Mombasa to face Bandari on Saturday.
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