Gor Mahia are officially locked out of the Champions League after CAF released the list of teams to participate in the competition for the 2023–24 season.

The Football Kenya Federation Premier League champions have been thrown out for failing to meet club licensing regulations.

Stringent licensing regulation

In Article 60 of the CAF Men’s Club Licensing Regulations, clubs applying for a license must demonstrate that they have no overdue payables towards current and former employees as of March 31st, the year in which the CAF club competitions commence. This is the rule that knocked the record-breaking Kenyan champions out.

‘K’Ogalo’ found themselves in a tight spot following outstanding arrears owed to former players Jules Ulimwengu, Yangayay Sando Sando, and Adama Keita.

Gor Mahia’s defence

The Kenyan giants – in a letter written to FKF – maintained their stance that they had cleared the arrears and thus required that they be cleared by the FKF First Instance Body (FIB). 

“On the overdue payables to our former players, namely; Outdo Yangayay, Adama Keita, and Jules Ulimwengu. To confirm to your able office that all the overdue payables to the above former players have been remitted and all the remittance slips shared herein.

“We request your able office to reconsider the earlier decision on revoking our certificate and reinstate our club on the CAF Inter-Club Competition,” Gor Mahia‘s letter read.

But it is now clear, despite frantic efforts to have themselves cleared, that the Kenyan champions will not be part of the Champions League contingent after CAF published the list of teams to be featured in the draw.

This will come as a blow to players who fought hard to win the Premier League title and consequently booked a ticket to the continental competition. 

Gor Mahia managed to wrestle the league title back from Tusker on the final day of the 2022–23 season and were destined for a return to Champions League football. 

Return to CAF football

Kenya would be returning to the Champions League fold after missing out last season as no club from the country featured because the country was serving a suspension from FIFA.

In the previous season, Tusker represented the country but did not make much progress given that they were eliminated in the preliminary round.

Meanwhile, Kenya will have a representative in the Women’s Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup. Kakamega Homeboyz, the winners of the FKF Cup, are set to feature in the Confederation Cup, which will also be their maiden appearance in a continental competition.

Vihiga Queens, the winners of the Kenya Women’s Premier League, will represent the country in the Women’s Champions League.