Gor Mahia FC has been kicked out of the CAF Champions League even before the start of the tournament for not meeting CAF Club Licensing Rules, the Confederation of African Football has announced.
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Furthermore, Africa’s football governing body has ordered Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to revoke Ko’galo’s license for not paying players’ accrued arrears and failing to meet the deadline of July 20, 5 pm.
Read Also: 20th Champi20ns Gor Mahia gets ready Over CAF Match Venues
Gor Mahia have been kicked out of the CAF Champions League, the recently issued licence will also be revoke. They'll not be included in tomorrow's draw.
— Ole Teya (@TeyaKevin) July 20, 2023
League runners up Tusker FC COULD be handed the spot.#FootballKE pic.twitter.com/ZqeixgKPg8
Previously, FKF announced in a line it had cleared Gor and two other clubs to participate in CAF competitions for the 2023-2024 season.
CAF had already issued a warning earlier in June regarding the club licensing process criteria.
Gor mahia about-to-happen expulsion from Caf Champions league is because of the money they owe three of their former players amounting to the region of 5M kes….. The Three players are Sando Sando Yangayah from Congo,Jules Ulimwengu from Burundi and Adama Keita from Mali
— KOT OCS👮👮 (@WaruiJohn2) July 20, 2023
Arguably, FKF had invited applications from five clubs, the top four FKF Premier League clubs as well as the finalists of the FKF Cup Competition.
Gor Mahia’s expulsion comes against the backdrop of CAF introducing a new regulatory framework that includes top-flight teams to have a women’s first team participating in an FKF competition.
“Specifically on the sporting criteria in the CAF Men’s Club Licensing Regulations (edition 2022), CAF has now introduced a requirement for women’s football teams, which means that clubs intending to participate in the CAF Interclubs competitions must have at minimum one (01) women’s first team participating in a competition sanctioned by the member association. To comply with this requirement, clubs may operate the women’s team(s) itself or have a written agreement with another entity who operates the team(s).” CAF stated.
What next for the 20th Champi20ns Gor Mahia getting ready Over CAF Match Venues?
Kenyan top-flight record champions Gor Mahia have been clouded with uncertainty over the stadium they will use for CAF Champions League matches.
Adama Keita vs Gor Mahia impasse explained
— Ole Teya (@TeyaKevin) July 21, 2023
August 2021- The Malian goalkeeper joins Gor Mahia on a two-year deal.
May 2022-The player reports Gor Mahia to FIFA's Disputes Resolution Chamber over breach of contract after they failed to pay him for a couple of months. The club… pic.twitter.com/rNxieWabeD
However, this comes with Kasarani Stadium yet to get the green light from the continental football governing body; Ko’galo has been left searching for options in the neighbouring countries.
Read Also: Otieno Backs Gor to Reclaim Premier League Title from Tusker
Gor chairman Ambrose Rachier disclosed that the club has already sealed an agreement with Tanzanian side Azam FC for the Kenyan champions to use their facility- Azam Complex Stadium for their CAF home matches.
“We wrote to Azam to allow us to use their home ground for our matches and we are in agreement. We also wrote to Rwanda to use one of their stadiums and we have their nod,” said Rachier.
The most useless fan in Gor mahia.
— Tros star (@Evans_o_o) July 21, 2023
He doest pay ticket.
He doesn't stand for for fans.
He doesn't question the management. pic.twitter.com/DnLNxFJtIM
With a delegation from FIFA expected in the country on July 26 to further inspect Kasarani and Nyayo facilities, Rachier is still optimistic the 60-000 seater stadium will pass the test to host international matches.
Read Also: Is it Gor Mahia or Tusker? Who to lift the FKF-PL title 2022/23 season
‘’We are expecting a delegation from FIFA on July 26 who are coming on an inspection mission. Our fingers are crossed and should Kasarani pass the test, then we shall use it as our home ground,” the long-serving chairman said.
However, Rachier has however asked stakeholders to fast-track the renovations needed for the facilities to meet international standards.
SHAME:
— Carol Radull (@CarolRadull) July 17, 2023
Fkf premier league Champions Gor Mahia will have to play their CAF home games in Tanzania, since no stadium in Kenya meets the requirements of Hosting a CAF Champions league / Confederation game.
Earlier this year the govt submitted a joint bid East Africa Pamoja bid to… pic.twitter.com/IEfYnCfXvp
“It is a big shame that we have to play our home matches away in another country. It has been a long time since FIFA inspected Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums and laid down their demands. But very little has been done.” He said.
The City lawyer also hinted at the possibility of moving their home ground all the way to Rwanda in case they fail to secure venues in Kenya and Tanzania.
Read Also: Cristiano Ronaldo: “I will never give up coming here, because it’s always a dream”
Meanwhile, Kakamega Homeboyz chairman Cleophas Shimanyula has maintained that his team will use Bukhungu Stadium as their home ground for their CAF Confederations Cup fixtures.
Gor Mahia cleared Sando Sando Yangayay dues yesterday.
— Ole Teya (@TeyaKevin) July 20, 2023
They are left with Jules Ulimwengu's dues of around Kes. 950,000 (as per the May USD to Kes. exchange rate).
And Adama Keita whom they owed slightly above the 3M mark. (Part of it has been paid, remaining amount unknown).… pic.twitter.com/uNB6rpgdk8
‘’We will ensure Bukhungu is ready for our home matches. We have talked to the Governor and the Sports Cabinet Secretary and we trust all shall be well,’’ said Shimanyula.
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At the same time, Shimanyula has urged the government to renovate Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums to meet FIFA standards.