NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 10 – Barely 24 hours after announcing officially their divorce with British coach Steve Polack, record Kenyan premier League champions Gor Mahia have announced a new marriage with Brazilian tactician Roberto Oliveira.
The coach, formerly with Rwanda’s Rayon Sports arrived in the country this morning, signing his contract and officially introduced to the K’Ogalo legion.
“We are excited to announce the arrival of our new coach Roberto Oliveira from Brazil. He has had long coaching experience in Africa thus making him more conversant with African football. We think he will be a great asset in our quest to achieve better results on the field,” Gor Mahia chair Ambrose Rachier said.
The Brazilian was Rayon’s head coach three years ago when his side denied Gor Mahia an opportunity to advance to the quarter finals of the CAF Confederations Cup.
“After leaving Rayon Sports, I got three offers to come back to Africa but I turned them down…. When Gor Mahia came knocking, I couldn’t turn it down because I like the club…. I like their style because I have seen Gor Mahia play many times and even had a tie against them in CAF competition. I am happy to be offered the chance to coach the team,” Roberto said, speaking after arriving in the country.
The tactician has disclosed that he had been contacted by Gor to take over the role two years ago, but declined.
“Two years ago, I had the possibility to come here but I cannot accept because at that time, my club Rayon Sport was fighting to be champion and I could not come at that time,” the coach said.
His immediate target now is to help Gor do well in CAF competitions, having dominated the local league. His tactic already is in fine print and he says he plans to make Gor a force at home in the continental matches.
“Gor Mahia is a big club and have their objectives. I think Gor Mahia have too much experience in the Champions League and now we need to prepare a good project for the Champions League. We need to work step by step,” he said.
Gor parted ways with Briton Polack officially on Friday, though his departyue was always written in the sky after he ‘went home for holiday’ a few weeks ago.
Though in their announcement said they had parted ways amicably, Polack was said to be frustrated over lack of pay with the club struggling financially before the arrival of new sponsors Betsafe.
Gor won the league after it was ended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the defending champions were already in cruise control. Polack was head over shoulders among the KPL coaches, having won the coach of the month award three times.
