Gor Mahia head coach Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno has opened up about the critical moments that cost his team the 2024/25 FKF Premier League title, acknowledging that inconsistency was their biggest undoing in a tightly contested campaign.
Kenya Police emerged as champions after a resolute 1-0 victory over Shabana in their penultimate match at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos. Although Gor Mahia responded with a 3-2 win over Ulinzi Stars, it wasn’t enough to close the six-point gap at the top of the table. With 64 points, Kenya Police now lead the standings, while Gor Mahia remain second on 58, with both teams set to face each other in the final match at Ulinzi Sports Complex.
Reflecting on the season, Zico admitted that Gor Mahia struggled with consistency and paid the price for underwhelming performances in key matches. The team failed to capitalize on several opportunities that could have made the title race tighter. He pointed out that there were games they should have comfortably won, but the players lacked the mental edge to push through.
“The league is a marathon. If you’re not consistent, it’s very difficult to be champions,” Zico noted. “We lost games we shouldn’t have lost. That lack of consistency cost us.”
The coach also highlighted the turbulence the team faced off the pitch. The sacking of Sinisa Mihic mid-season added to the club’s instability during a crucial period in the title run-in. Despite these challenges, Zico praised the players for managing to keep Gor Mahia in the title conversation until the final stages of the league.
In their most recent match, Gor Mahia showed signs of their usual quality, securing a hard-fought 3-2 win over Ulinzi Stars. Zico was pleased with the overall performance but lamented lapses in concentration that allowed Ulinzi back into the game. “We were in control, got the goals, but we made silly defensive mistakes,” he said, noting the need for sharper focus going forward.
Despite the disappointment, Zico remained optimistic about the club’s future. He congratulated Kenya Police on their first league title, admitting they were the more consistent team and deserved the crown. Looking ahead, he expressed hope that Gor Mahia would bounce back stronger and finish the season with silverware by winning the FKF Cup.
“It has not been easy, especially with three different coaches during the season. But the boys have done well. Now we aim to win the FKF Cup and represent the country,” he concluded.
