This archive report was first published on 31 July 2019.
Published on July 31, 2019, Gor Mahia have granted their coach Hassan Oktay compassionate leave ahead of their Caf Champions League preliminary round against Burundi's Aigle Noir.
Oktay, who helped Gor Mahia to a record-extending 18th Kenyan league title and quarterfinal showing in Caf Champions League, left the country yesterday for Turkey.
As part of the arrangement, injured striker Dennis Oliech will assist Peter Odhiambo ahead of their clash with Aigle Noir in Bujumbura on August 9.
Club CEO Lordvick Aduda said, 'As Gor Mahia family, we are fully behind Oktay as he seeks to deal with personal issues back home. We have given him a minimum of five days.'
Despite fears he may have left the club for good, Oktay has dismissed the notion he was leaving due to his inability to acquire target players.
He told Goal.com, 'They (Gor) are the best club I have ever handled in my entire career and will always keep track with what they are doing even if I don’t return from my leave.'
With Oktay away, Oliech will bring his experience in French clubs AC Nantes, Auxerre, and AC Ajaccio to K’Ogalo’s rescue.
