This archive report was first published on 6 August 2019.
Nairobi — Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier has expressed concerns over the team's situation as coach Hassan Oktay remains abroad, dealing with urgent family matters in the United Kingdom.
According to Rachier, Oktay is yet to return to the country, leaving new assistant Patrick Odhiambo in charge of the Kenyan champions. The team is scheduled to travel to Burundi on Friday for the first round qualifier of the CAF Champions League.
"I last talked to him on Thursday and he wasn't sure yet when he will return. I will get back in touch with him and see when he will return. If it will be hard for him to return, then in the extreme we might be forced to hire an interim coach for this game," Rachier revealed to Capital Sport on August 6, 2019.
Rachier added that he has been aware of the coach's situation back at home in England and says the Turkish-Cypriot tactician is not trying to engineer a move out of the team. He emphasized that the club will give Oktay time to resolve his issues but also has to look out for the affairs of the club.
Had Zedekiah Otieno remained at the helm of the club, the situation would have been averted as the experienced tactician has the requisite documents. The club has confirmed that Burundian forward Francis Mustapha will leave the club, and Gor is also set to drop one other foreigner in the squad with midfielder Hashim Ssempala said to be on his way out.
