New Gor Mahia star Akena has explained how fellow Ugandan players Khalid Aucho and Dan Sserenkuma inspired him into joining Gor Mahia.
Gor Mahia’s new attacking midfielder Chris Pius Makena has shared how players like Khalid Aucho and Dan Sserenkuma inspired him decision to join the club.
Before signing with Gor, Makena was a free agent after his one-year contract with Greek second-tier side Apollon Pontou FC ended last month, during which he played seven matches without scoring.
Earlier, in January 2023, he made a historic move to UAE second-tier club Al Rams Club after leaving Shabab Al Ahli Club of Dubai in 2021, where he won the U21 and U19 pro-league titles. Prior to these, Makena played for Uganda Premier League side Maroons.
Makena's career in Europe included a one-year contract with Greek third-tier club Megas Alexandros Agias Marinas for the 2023-24 season.
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The left-footed midfielder was part of the Uganda Cranes team under coach Micho in 2022. His inclusion in K’Ogalo is part of new coach Leonardo Neiva’s efforts to strengthen the squad ahead of their busy local and continental assignments.
Speaking to the club’s media channels, the Ugandan praised his compatriots, who helped establish a positive reputation for the club back in Uganda.
“It is really amazing to join Gor Mahia, one of the best teams in Africa, and also knowing that I will be following in the same footsteps of some Ugandan players such as Khalid Aucho, Dan Sserenkuma and very many others,” Makena said. “I am hoping for the best for the time I will be here.”
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Aucho won the league title with Gor Mahia in 2015 before moving to Baroka Swallows, while Sserenkuma won the title in 2013 scoring numerous goals as he helped them end the club's 18-year drought.
At the club, he has already started to bond with fellow countryman Patrick Kaddu and hopes to set his own legacy as another influential Ugandan player at Gor Mahia.
Makena recalled Gor Mahia’s participation in the 2016 SportPesa Cup in Nakuru as a pivotal moment that sparked his desire to play for the club.
“It is a dream to play for Gor Mahia because it is a club I have been following for very long and around the year 2018, I happened to come watch the team play in the SportPesa Cup which took place in Nakuru, which is when I first fell in love with the club.”
Makena has big plans at the club, which is set to participate in the CECAFA Kagame Cup over the next two weeks before traveling to Nigeria for an invitational tournament. These events will help prepare them to be competitive for the CAF Champions League campaign next season.
“The fans should expect something good from me and I am hoping to be part of the group that will achieve the club’s objectives for the season, as well as the time I will be here. Gor Mahia is a winning club. The moment you step in, you buy into the culture, so it is a good feeling, probably.”