NAIROBI, Kenya, September 5 – Gor Mahia captain Jerim Onyango says the arrival of Frank Nuttall with only nine Kenyan Premier League (KPL) matches to go, will not affect their consistency in the title run-in.
The Harambee Stars custodian is confident his charges will have no difficulties in adapting to the new coach’s methods because he will be guided by assistants John ‘Bobby’ Ogolla and Frank Ouna who have had a long spells.
“As a player you should be ready to work with any coach and as a team we are ready to work with him and provide the support that he needs because our aim is to retain the league having missed other trophies this season.
“The changes in the technical bench will not affect our performance because we have the assistant coaches who will help him gel with the team and I don’t think he will bring in changes immediately since there is no time for that,” Onyango told Capital Sport.
The skipper added, “Three months is a short time so it’s upon us (players) to work hard and win matches so that our new coach can get a contract next year.”
Onyango welcomed the move of former Stars and AFC Leopards shot-stopper Mathews Ottamax’s appointment as goalkeeper trainer, saying he will bring in a lot of experience.
On his part, Ottamax who also serve the same capacity at Stars said it was a dream come true joining K’Ogalo’s technical bench.
“It’s challenging handling Stars and Gor but I’m up to the task because I have done this job before while at Nairobi City Stars. Gor has good keepers and landing this opportunity fulfilled my dream because I was longing to work with them.
“There is no much work to do because someone like Jerim, he has the experience having been in the national team, I just need to encourage and build the confidence in them considering I played in the same position so I know where it pinches most,” Ottamax underscored.
With only two points separating leaders K’Ogalo and Sofapaka, Onyango believes winning their friendly against Tanzania titans Simba SC on Saturday in Dar es Salaam will motivate the players to hold off domestic challengers and retain their crown.
“It’s a big game because it will expose players considering the two clubs are the biggest in the region so we are prepared and positive results will boost our morale when we return to face tusker in our next match.
“But it’s a challenge because we have just received the new coach who will be looking on how we play before making decisions,” the skipper said.
Despite dropping two points in their game at hand against KCB, Onyango maintained they are on the right track to winning their 14th KPL title.
“So far so good considering we performed poorly in Cecafa and getting four points out of six, that’s a plus to us. We are looking forward for our last match at hand against Tusker that I’m sure we are going to win.”
K’Ogalo will depart for Tanzania on Friday for the build-up match that will be played at National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
