Gor Mahia coach Johnathan McKinstry has admitted his players were left hurt and disappointed following the decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to expel K’Ogalo from the Champions League.
The FKF Premier League champions were due to make a return to the continental stage after two seasons in the cold following their success in winning the title but they suffered a blow after the African body locked them out for failure to meet club licensing rules.
Speaking for the first time since Gor Mahia were punished for their mistakes of not paying accrued salaries to three players, who had reported them to the world governing body FIFA – Jules Ulimwengu from Burundi, Malian goalkeeper Adama Keita, and Yangayay Sando Sando from the Democratic Republic of Congo – the Northern Irish tactician explained how his players had coped with the situation.
“My players were hurt on learning what had happened (losing the slot), they were disappointed because we fought all through the season to win the league title and earn the ticket for Caf matches but now it will not be the case,” McKinstry told People Sports, adding: “You could see it on their faces [their disappointment) but, what has impressed me most is how they have responded in training since we resumed for pre-season.”
McKinstry continued: “The good thing is we are not dealing with a 10-year-old, who will throw tantrums because he did not get what he wanted, the players in my squad are mature enough and professionals, they know and understand the situation at hand, and for sure they know they cannot get distracted with something they are not in control of.”
On whether the decision by Caf had affected him as a coach, McKinstry responded: “I don’t think so, it happened already and I was not in control of what happened, so I don’t want to be affected by something I was not control of, it has happened and we should now focus and have a great season.”
On Gor Mahia’s transfer situation having been linked with a number of star players including midfielder Tyson Otieno., who later signed for Kariobangi Sharks, the former Uganda Cranes coach, admitted K’Ogalo’s financial muscles were way below some top clubs in the league hence the decision to stay away from the Otieno deal and many others.
“If you ask me, Gor Mahia is currently ranked fourth in the financial table of FKF clubs, we have stronger teams above us with good financial muscles and can go out to buy any player they desire to sign, and it is not the case at Gor, and my intention was clear, not to put pressure on the club to sign players that we cannot afford,” added McKinstry.
