NAIROBI, January 8 – Gor Mahia new signing Dirkir Glay has implored the Green Army not to compare him with stalwart defender David ‘Calabar’ Owino who left the club for Zambia champions Zesco United.
The former Thika United centre back who was among 12 new players unveiled by K’Ogalo Thursday, declared he was under no pressure after joining the demanding 14-time Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions.
“I don’t want fans to compare me with Owino, I’m joining the team to assist them win titles. I know it’s a challenge because they expect me to prove myself since they lost Owino.
“They expect me to do more than him but I assure fans I will do my best in partnership with my colleagues to succeed this season,” Glay told Capital Sport.
The Liberian who penned a two-year contract is expected to fill in the large void left by crowd favourite and Harambee Stars defender Owino who inspired Gor to two KPL and two GOtv Shield titles.
“Gor is the biggest club in Kenya so it’s a great achievement for me and it’s the club that I wished to play after three years with Thika. I came for a challenge and I’m sure with the good environment as time goes by; I will adapt,” the 23-year-old underscored.
Former Tusker FC and Coastal Union midfielder Jerry Santos who also joined the team is looking forward to giving his best in midfield after the exit of another Green Army darling and Ugandan Geoffrey Kizito.
“It’s been a challenge playing outside my country but I have gained experience I want to use in my future career. K’Ogalo is a big team and it’s an honour joining them.
“I hope I will help Gor achieve whatever they plan for the season. We can’t match what Kizito offered because he is a quality player but as Santos, I’m bringing in what cannot be compared with anyone,” Santos, a former Harambee Stars midfielder declared.
Santos who signed a one-year contract exuded confidence the team will reach the group stage of the CAF Champions League as they prepare to face Madagascar’s CNAPS in the first round.
“In life there is always a pressure so I can’t count it as something that will interfere, it’s normal to have pressure and at some point it’s good because it helps one enhance his performance.”
-Longer contracts-
Meanwhile, Gor will be looking to offer players longer contracts in future, to avoid mass exodus as witnessed in the past two KPL championship winning seasons.
“Players should not fear signing longer contracts with Gor because there is a clause that says the club can negotiate once a player wants to leave for greener pastures.
“The players have been under some apprehension about contracts, we have been intending to have three to five years but when we approach them, they say they are not signing more than a year,” club chairman Ambrose Rachier announced.
Among the players unveiled are Tusker trio midfielders Ali Abondo, Khalid Aucho, keeper Boniface Oluoch, Chemeli’s Innocent Wafula, Ronald Otieno Omino (Muhoroni Youth) Michael Olunga (Thika United), Bernard Odhiambo (Nakuru All Stars), Ugandans Farouk Ssentongo, Augustine Walusimbi, Ghanaian Zachary Toufiq , David Magoma, Earnest Wendo (Bidco United) and James Ohawa.
The club is assessing winger Innocent Mutiso, Charles Bruno, Israel Emuge and Arthur Ssemazi before deciding their fate.
