Ugandan forward Peter Lwasa has lauded Gor Mahia’s determination in the 2022/23 Football Kenya Federation Premier League, which saw them reclaim the title.
In a message confirming his exit from Gor Mahia, Lwasa, who has also played for Sofapaka and Kariobangi Sharks, chose to look back at the determination that saw them eventually emerge as champions on the season’s final day.
Lwasa’s farewell
“I want to extend a big thanks to everyone at KOgalo for putting in such hard work on every task we have had. It hasn’t been easy, but I think we reached new heights in everything! I’m proud of everyone at the club and the fans,” Lwasa said in a statement.
Lwasa is understood to have finally agreed to leave the Premier League giants after renewal talks broke down. The two parties were engaged in contract talks, but it looks like they could not come up with a unified way forward, and Lwasa consequently left.
Lwasa’s exit comes at a time when Gor Mahia are understood not to be keen to sign more foreign players given the problems they have encountered with the previous players.
K’Ogalo were ejected from the CAF Champions League for failing to fully settle dues owed to Jules Ulimwengu, Yangayay Sando Sando, and Adama Keita.
This was not the first time Gor Mahia found themselves in hot water with FIFA over contractual cases with former players. And to avoid more transfer bans in the future, the club is said to be considering not signing foreigners anymore.
In their current squad, there are only two foreigners: Rwandan defender Emery Bayisenge and Ugandan striker Patrick Kaddu.
Financial power
Recently, head coach Johnathan McKinstry conceded that the club does not have the financial muscle to get all the players they would want.
“Financially speaking, Gor Mahia are ranked fourth or even fifth in the Premier League. There are teams with stronger financial muscle than us, and we cannot put pressure on the team knowing the financial situation we are in currently. In the financial pecking order, we are not at the top.
“We have been in a difficult position, and we cannot make demands that put the club in another difficult situation,” McKinstry said.
Meanwhile, Gor Mahia will face Kakamega Homeboyz in the FKF Charity Shield to curtain-raise the new season, set to begin in two weeks.
