Gor Mahia’s Rachier Blasts FKF, Demands Overhaul to Help Kenyan Clubs Succeed in CAF Competitions
Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier has touched on three issues he believes must be addressed for Kenyan clubs to perform better in the CAF Interclubs.
K’Ogalo bowed out of the CAF Champions League, losing 6-0 on aggregate to Egypt’s Al Ahly SC, while Kenya Police FC fell 3-1 to Zamalek SC in the Confederation Cup at the same stage.
While acknowledging the superiority of Al Ahly, who are the record and defending champions of Africa, Rachier suggested that if the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) were more competitive, Kenyan clubs would have offered better resistance.
“The federation (FKF) is running a league that lacks quality. You win the league, but you don’t get the competition needed to match continental football,” said Rachier, who has guided Gor Mahia to a record 21 titles.
“Instead of focusing on improving the standards of the league, they’re busy pursuing vendettas against clubs,” Rachier added, taking aim at the federation led by Nick Mwendwa.
“I hope the forthcoming elections in December will usher in a new leadership capable of transforming the league, even if it means going back to the days it was managed by the Kenyan Premier League Limited.”
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Secondly, Rachier highlighted the lack of sporting infrastructure in the country, noting it as a key factor in the struggles of Kenyan clubs on the continental stage.
“The government should do something about this. Machakos Stadium, for example, is like a school playing ground. We cannot develop sports in such conditions,” Rachier said.
Lastly, the long-serving Gor Mahia chairman emphasized the need for community clubs to embrace a corporate structure to raise the funds required to build competitive teams.
“This is a discussion we’re currently having. In our agenda for the Annual General Meeting, we proposed turning the club into a Limited Liability Company, but unfortunately someone went to court to stop the process.”
Rachier believes that for Gor Mahia to compete at the top level, they must acquire top players, which requires significant financial investment.
Without changes to the league’s quality, infrastructure, and club management structures, Rachier warned that Kenyan clubs will continue to struggle on the continental stage.
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