Collins “Gattuso” Okoth has returned to Gor Mahia less than three months after abandoning the Kenyan premier league champions.
Okoth left the team early August, after being sidelined by head coach Jose Marcelo Ferreira “Ze Maria”, who accused him of not following “certain rules.”
“Collins Okoth is back with us, he has apologized to members of the technical bench, and we have accepted him back,” team manager Jolawi Obondo told Soka25east.com.
The combative midfielder’s last outing with “K’Ogalo” was memorable – scoring last gasp winner against City Stars in a league match on July 24 at Nyayo.
However, his relationship with the Brazilian soured thereafter; he left the team’s camp in Awendo, South Nyanza, before a midweek league fixture against Sony, which they drew on August 3.
Despite struggling to find his replacement within his squad, Ze Maria held his ground, ignoring pressure from fans to bring him back immediately.
The former Tusker and Sofapaka player , was present at Nyayo stadium today (Tuesday, October 18, 2016), where Gor is preparing to host Western Stima in a rescheduled KPL tie Wednesday, days after relinquishing Top 8 title to Muhoroni Youth at the same venue.
Okoth’s return is a timely boost for the misfiring side, after Ernest Wendo, who has been playing in the holding role, picked up an injury in the Sunday’s 1-0 loss to Muhoroni.
Gor placed second, seven points behind leaders Tusker in KPL log, will be hoping to cut the brewers’ lead to four, and keep hopes of retaining their title for a fourth time on the bounce.
@bonfaceosano
