Gor Mahia head coach Johnathan McKinstry has put his players on notice, asking them to hammer away indefatigably for a starting role in the talent-laden club.
The Irish gaffer said his players must prepare to fend off intense competition from their equally gifted colleagues in the star-studded lineup.
McKinstry revealed that he always prefers to field a constant first-eleven to ensure consistent results, adding that he hardly subscribes to player rotation.
“I am of the school of thought that you should put your best 11 on the pitch as often as possible and so we try not to rotate unless there is a real issue,” McKinstry remarked.
“There is hardly enough time to experiment with different sets of players, especially at such a time when the league has reached its most crucial stages,” he added.
McKinstry expressed delight in the depth of his squad, saying its versatility will be instrumental in helping them shake off fatigue and injuries as they firmly train their sights on a 21st Kenyan Premier League title.
Gor pipped Nairobi City Stars 1-0 at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos over the weekend to open an eight-point lead at the apex of the top-tier log where they have amassed 47 points thus far from 21 league encounters.
McKinstry cited the intense competition between Geoffrey ‘Simiti’ Ochieng and Philemon Otieno for the left-fullback position.
With Ochieng nursing an ankle injury, Otieno was summoned to man the vacant left-back position in their action-packed encounter against City Stars.
The K’Ogalo skipper put on a strong execution to the delight of the technical bench even as McKinistry predicted fierce competition for a starting role in the team.
“Geoffrey is made of steel, he is made of cement, probably the best defender in the league. Had I asked him to play, perhaps he would but it would not have been good for his ankle.
"He needed to rest and he will rest in the cup this week and when we come back against Post, he will be close to 100 percent then,” McKinstry stated.
“Philemon that’s his first minutes of the season and he did incredibly well against one of the in-form forwards of the season, Samuel Kapen, and how often did he pass him? So, full marks to him, and Geoffrey might struggle to get back into the team,” he added.
Gor Mahia will be in action again this weekend when they face lower league side Ukunda FC in the FKF Cup. Their next league encounter is against second-placed Posta Rangers at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos on March 2.
