Exclusive: ‘Zico’ Otieno A Win Away From Sealing Permanent Employment At Gor Mahia

Record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia have confirmed that stand-in coach Zedekiah 'Zico' Otieno has a good chance of being handed the responsibility to lead the team to the end of the season if they claim maximum points against Kariobangi Sharks on Sunday.

'Zico' has turned the defending champions' fortunes around from the bottom half of the log to the top five bracket and just three points within the reach of log leaders KCB.

There is a possibility of Gor Mahia finishing the year joint at the top if they manage to beat the struggling Kariobangi Sharks and the four teams above them register unwanted results.

'Zico' was elevated to the position of stand-in head coach on November 13 following the sacking of Brazilian coach Leonardo Neiva thanks to the poor start in the season.

Under the experienced coach, Gor have won four matches including the latest 3-0 thrashing of Ulinzi Stars, shared points once and lost twice.

The run under 'Zico' has been triggering mixed reactions as some fans have been calling for his replacement with others urging the office to confirm him on a permanent basis.

WIN OVER SHARKS LIKELY TO HAND ZICO GOR JOB

Gor were expected to hire Neiva's replacement as soon as possible, but surprisingly the club has given 'Zico' time and space to turn things around despite the criticism.

Club Vice-Chairman Francis Wasuna says there is a big possibility for the club to hire Zico on a permanent basis if he manages to secure three points against Sharks.

Wasuna revealed that the club had given the former Harambee Stars coach eight matches to demonstrate his capacity to lift the team from the abyss to a position where they can build and defend the league.

Although 'Zico' has not applied for the job, Wasuna said should he win over Sharks, the management will invite him for talks aimed at formalizing the upgrading of his terms from stand-in to permanent head coach.

"We are not in a hurry to make a decision as far as the head coach job is concerned. I can, however, confirm that the club will seriously consider hiring Zico if we win against Sharks," Wasuna told SportsBoom.com.

"He will have proven that he can defend the league. We had given him eight matches to prove himself and getting five wins from the number is an indication that he has what it takes to lead the team to the end of the season."

GOR COURTING OMALA

Besides making the decision to confirm 'Zico' or replace him in January, Gor will seek to reunite with their former striker Benson Omala as the mid-season transfer window opens that same month.

The Israel-Hezbollah war in Lebanon has been depriving Omala of competitive football since as the striker hasn't returned to the Middle East since August.

Omala jetted to Nairobi in August for a Harambee Stars assignment but did not return to his Lebanese club Al Safa due to the reported delay by the club in paying him his sign-on fees.

After a resolution between the two was reached, Omala did not travel as the conflict in Lebanon hit a new high to the extent that football activities were halted.

Despite Al Safa announcing the resumption of training, the striker is yet to travel, as Lebanon is being deemed unsafe given that a ceasefire is yet to be realized.

Wasuna disclosed that Gor had initiated talks with the former striker, who left the club in August for Al Safa, with the intention of acquiring his signature in January.

Omala was the league's top scorer last season with 19 goals and found the back of the net 26 times in the 2022-2023 season. "There is strong interest in his services. We parted ways with him in a very courteous way and that is why we are opening the door for him to return.

"We sympathize with him as factors beyond his control have been denying him the opportunity to play. We hope to have the deal completed in the mid-season window," he confirmed.

The administrator said the club will not make additional signings if they manage to lure Omala, who has been keeping fit in Kisumu, back to the team. “We have no intentions of signing many players in January as we have depth in the squad. We only need a striker," he added.

While Gor remains hopeful of landing Omala's signature, his father, Peter Oluoch told SportsBoom.com that he was not aware of negotiations between the club and his son.

“I have heard from Gor regarding the return of Benson to the club. However, there is still time between now and the January window. Benson has been training hard and is looking forward to returning to competitive football in January," he said.

GOR TO OPEN YEAR WITH CLASH AGAINST UGANDAN SIDE

Meanwhile, Wasuna confirmed that the club will open the year with an international friendly match against Kitara FC of Uganda on January 3.

The match will be part of the inauguration of the newly constructed Siaya Stadium, which will be officially opened on the same date. Initially, Gor were to play Yanga at the same facility but the record Tanzanian Premier League champions withdrew citing continental engagements.

Yanga are scheduled to host Congolese giants TP Mazembe, in a CAF Champions League encounter, on the same date. It is not clear how Gor will manage to play the friendly match against Kitara and honour a league match the following against 12-time champions Tusker.

"I can confirm that we will play Kitara on January 3 during the inauguration of Siaya Stadium. We were to play Yanga but they excused themselves as they are having a CAF match on the same day.

"Just like Kitara, we have been invited by the County Government of Siaya, who are the organizers of the friendly. We are looking forward to playing in front of our fans," he added.