Gor Mahia CEO clarifies reports on CAF Champions League expulsion

FOOTBALL Gor Mahia CEO clarifies reports on CAF Champions League expulsion

Imran Otieno • 18:48 - 20.07.2023

According to reports the club will not take part in the 2023-2024 CAF Champions League despite being Kenyan champions.

Following reports of Gor Mahia’s expulsion from the CAF Champions League draw for failing to settle dues owed to former players and not fully meeting the club licensing requirements, the club’s CEO Raymond Oruo has revealed that they are not in possession of such information.

According to the reports, K’Ogalo were kicked out of Africa’s premier club competition after three of their former players reported the club to FIFA for failing to pay their accrued arrears.

Burundian striker Jules Ulimwengu, Congolese attacker Yangayay Sando Sando and Malian goalkeeper Adama Keita are the players who had initially reported the club to the world football governing body.

Queried about the authenticity of the reports, Oruo revealed that the club is yet to be furnished with official confirmation of their exclusion from the Champions League.

“I have seen the reports of our expulsion from social media and I don’t know where they are coming from, we are yet to get communication from CAF about being dropped from the competition.

“I expect us to be in the draw. It is known that the three players have taken the club to FIFA and we are working round the clock to settle the matter,” said Ouro.

His sentiments were echoed by the club’s Team Manager Victor Nyaoro who confirmed that the record Kenyan champions are yet to see communication from CAF or FKF about their expulsion.

According to the reports Gor Mahia were provided with a deadline of Thursday 20 July to clear the dues of the former players by 5 PM.

CAF introduced new rules on club licensing effective from the 2023-2024 season with the major change being that club’s must own a ladies side or have a written agreement with another entity who operates a women’s team.

Participating clubs must also adhere to five-pillar criteria; sporting, infrastructure, personnel, and administrative, legal, and financial.