McKinstry expresses confidence in Gor Mahia’s next generation of talent
By Joel Sang, October 10, 2023Gor Mahia head coach Johnathan McKinstry is confident in the club’s new generation of players.
In the last transfer window, the reigning Football Kenya Federation Premier League champions signed a number of young players to bolster the squad.
In the process, some of the experienced players were released, and one of them was George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo. McKinstry explained why the forward was released and expressed his confidence in the new generation.
“It’s not that he (Odhiambo) is not a good player, but when you see the likes of (Rodgers) Mugisha and (Patrick) Sibomana, young Alvin Ochieng.
“There is a lot of speed and technical talent, and we just felt that it’s the right time to usher in a new generation,” McKinstry is quoted as saying by a local media publication.
McKinstry lauds Odhiambo
While stating how influential a player Odhiambo was, the Northern Irish coach said the former Tusker star is leaving K’Ogalo with fond memories.
“We wish George the very best. He obviously leaves us with many fond memories.
“He has been a giant for the club. Wherever he ends up in the mid-transfer window if that is what he chooses to do, there’s no doubt he will cause problems if he plays against us,” he continued.
The former Uganda head coach also explained the intrigues that surrounded Odhiambo’s contract before he was finally released.
“George was informed at the start of the preseason that we didn’t see a future for him on the team. You have to give respect to players because you don’t want to mishandle them, and it’s important to tell them early so they can make decisions about their lives and their families.
“So, back in July, George was quite comfortable sitting and training with us. He was not registered to play, but he wanted to see out his contract, which ended two days ago (last Thursday),” McKinstry concluded.
Odhiambo was a Premier League winner in 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2018-19 and also managed individual accolades at Gor Mahia, including Most Promising Player (on his debut year at K’Ogalo) and Player of the Year.