Nairobi based management consultant Eliud Owalo has offered to host Gor Mahia in a five-star hotel in Mombasa when the team will be going down to Coast for a league match against Bandari next week on Tuesday.
The cost of hosting the team will amount to 270000 and Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier has thanked Owalo for his support to the club.
“On behalf of Gor Mahia, l wish to pass a word of appreciation to Eliud Owalo for offering to host the entire team and technical bench in a five star hotel in Mombasa,” chairman Rachier told the club’s official website.
“This is a big gesture coming at a time we are operating on a very tight budget with very little funds to navigate the tight August schedule that requires good finances to honour matches.
“Our initial plan was to fly to Mombasa, play the match and come back the same day to cut on our expenses on things like accommodation but thanks to one of our loyal fans like Owalo who has been supportive in many ways. Through him, the team will spend a night in one of the best hotels in Mombasa,” Rachier added.
Owalo, who is a known Gor Mahia fan, booked in the team and the technical bench staffs (Full-Board) at PrideInn Paradise Beach Hotel at a cost of about Sh 270,000.
The team will be checking in on Monday August 6, play the match the next day and hit the runway.
Meanwhile, the side is set to welcome defender Karim Nizigiyimana after head coach Dylan Kerr revealed that he is likely to be available for Bandari match
“It’s great to have Karim back…. that adds competition to the right back position with Wellington and Wafula already doing good in the same position. We can now take Philemon back to his favourite position – midfield. His progress has been great since he resumed to full training and he could be in action against Bandari,” Kerr told the official Gor Mahia website.
Karim has been training with the team for the last 10 days and his return is seen as a boost to Gor Mahia with the tight schedule in store.
His team mate Phillemon Otieno who has been operating on the right back since Karim got injured, is delighted to see him fully fit and says he has been getting a lot of advice from the Burundian before every game.
“We are happy to have Karim back… he is a great player who inspired me a great deal. When he got injured, l was deployed to his position. Previously, l had never played in that position but Karim was my other coach who could call me before any game and advice me a lot. I worked with his advice together with coach’s instructions to deliver well and l truly thank him,” Otieno noted.
On his part, Karim is excited to return to active football and has appreciated Gor Mahia fraternity for the support he got while recovering.
“My sincere word of appreciation goes to Gor Mahia as a whole. I thank the club, the chairman who supported me all through – he gave all the support l needed, l thank my team mates for the big support they offered and l thank Gor Mahia fans also for their never ending support and faith in me. Thanks to all. I am back and ready to deliver,” Karim said.
The defender who has been out of active football for close to nine months after picking an injury last year and had to undergo a surgery process, is keen to be back to his previous scintillating form which helped him win accolades in 2015.
“I have been training well for many months as per doctor’s instructions and after being cleared, l doubled my efforts and hopefully, l will hit my top form,” he added.
If selected against Bandari on Tuesday next week, Karim will be making his first appearance in a competitive match this year.