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Former Harambee Stars player Sammy Shollei suggests strategic changes for Gor Mahia after their disappointing CECAFA Kagame Cup performance.
Former Football Kenya Federation (FKF) vice-president Sammy Tiyoi Shollei has offered some sage advice to Gor Mahia in the wake of their early exit from the 2024 CECAFA Kagame Cup.
Gor Mahia's campaign ended without a win underlining a stark contrast between local success and regional challenges.
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Shollei, who played for Kenya Breweries FC (now Tusker), Rivatex, and Raymonds FC, drew on his extensive playing experience to emphasize the importance of international exposure.
“I've said this before and I'll say it again: if we don't cross borders for friendly matches to gauge our strength, we'll remain the best in our fans' eyes in this country but very weak internationally," Shollei remarked in a recent statement.
The retired Kenya international insights come at a crucial moment as Gor Mahia grapples with their performance having secured only a single point in a group where they were expected to shine.
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12:37 - 09.07.2024
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During the tournament held at the Azam Complex, Gor Mahia suffered defeats to Sudan’s Al Hilal and Zambia’s Red Arrows and managed only a draw against Djibouti Telecom.
This performance starkly highlighted their struggles on a bigger stage, despite having clinched the FKF Premier League title recently.
Shollei stressed the historical benefits of such friendlies citing his own experiences from the 1990s.
"The best way to assess ourselves, which propelled us Kenya Breweries to the finals of the CAF Club Championship in '94, was our frequent friendly matches in both Uganda and Tanzania," he noted.
The former FKF vice-president also suggested that such international friendlies could serve as a humbling but necessary step for improvement.
"It was a good experience and a benchmark (CECAFA) that will help the club's administration chart the way forward. When our teams are beaten, the players become humble, and we keep improving," he added.
Shollei believes that the sting of defeat is a powerful motivator.
"Pride decreases because in their minds, they feel ashamed of winning locally but getting whipped across the borders, thus exposing their weaknesses to the fans," he explained..
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08:30 - 17.07.2024
CECAFA Kagame Cup: Al Hilal coach points out two key tactical elements Gor Mahia are good at
Although Gor Mahia have had an average tournament, Al Hilal coach Florent Ibenge has revealed two things they are very great at.
The CECAFA Kagame Cup which was making a return after a three-year hiatus was seen as a prime opportunity for Gor Mahia to assert their dominance beyond Kenyan borders.
However, the club's inability to progress has sparked a broader conversation about the quality and preparation of Kenyan clubs competing internationally.
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