A statement from the club confirmed the latest changes by saying: “Gor Mahia wishes to inform its supporters, stakeholders, and the general public that it has mutually agreed with the entire technical bench, including members of the team security to part ways, effective July 2nd, 2025.
“The decision follows a comprehensive internal review and is part of the club’s broader restructuring process aimed at strengthening its technical and operational capacity in preparation for the upcoming 2025/26 season.
“The separation has been reached amicably and in good faith, with the club recognising and appreciating the contribution made by the outgoing staff. We extend our sincere gratitude to the individuals involved for their commitment, professionalism, and services to the club during their tenure.
“As we begin a new chapter, Gor Mahia remains committed to building a solid foundation that will support competitive excellence both on and off the pitch. Further announcement regarding the new technical bench will be made in due course.”
The record Kenyan champions had a season to forget, losing the Premier League title to new sheriffs in town Kenya Police FC, before suffering a shock 2-1 defeat against Nairobi United in the final of the FKF domestic Cup.
Going into the season, Gor Mahia were aiming to win a third straight league title, having won the same in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons respectively. However, the law enforcers were declared winners with a game to spare.
Police won the crown with 65 points amassed from 18 wins, 11 draws and five defeats. They were six points ahead of Gor Mahia, who garnered 59 points, accumulated from 16 wins, 11 draws and seven defeats. The points were way below the number when they won the league in the previous two seasons.
In the 2022/23 season, K’Ogalo won the league after amassing 70 points from 20 wins, 10 draws, and four defeats, while in the 2023/24 campaign, they garnered 73 points from 21 wins, 10 draws and three defeats.
In the domestic Cup, Gor Mahia had a dominant road to the final. They began their campaign with a 3-0 win over KSG in the Round of 64, followed by a 5-0 victory against GAS FC in the Round of 32. They then dispatched fellow Premiership side Bandari FC 2-0 in the Round of 16 and beat Kariobangi Sharks by the same scoreline in the quarter-finals.
In the semi-finals, Gor Mahia faced a stern test against Murang’a Seal, playing out a 2-2 draw in regulation time before edging the tie 5-3 in the shootout. With the FKF Cup presenting their last chance to claim silverware and secure continental football, they came up against Nairobi United.
However, it was Nairobi United, who had eliminated Mara Sugar through penalties in the semis, who carried the day, scoring in either half to sink K’Ogalo and end their dream of winning a trophy, and earning a ticket to CAF Confederation Cup.
Why heads had to roll at Gor Mahia
Earlier on before the club made the decision official, a top K’Ogalo’s official, who did not want to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter, had revealed to Flashscore why the club was doing away with Otieno and Michael Nam.
Otieno and Nam were handed the role on an interim basis following the sacking of Croatian coach Sinisa Mihic. He was the second foreign coach to handle Gor Mahia this season after Brazilian Leanardo Martins Neiva was shown the exit door with only six matches played at the beginning of the campaign.
“Football can be cruel. The defeat against Nairobi United summed up the 2024/25 season, and we simply never got going,” the source exclusively told Flashscore when asked to sum up the just-concluded season.
“We have now reached an agreement as the office that heads must roll, we will have a new technical bench for the new season, and we want to have the new bench unveiled as soon as possible, so that we can start preparing the team during pre-season, in readiness for the new season.
“The bench will also be given a free hand to give us the names of players they want to sign, we will definitely reinforce the squad, we must regain the Premier League title back, and must play in continental football next season, so we want things to move quickly, we have a new bench in place, and bring in new players to start pre-season training.”
This will be the first time in three seasons that Gor Mahia will miss out on continental football. Police will represent the country in the CAF Champions League while Nairobi United will go for the second-tier Confederation Cup.
The best time to rebuild the team
Meanwhile, former Harambee Stars midfielder Noah Abich believes that Gor Mahia have been presented with the best opportunity to rebuild the team following their missing out on a continental ticket.
“If you ask me, Gor Mahia must now sit down and plan, it is the best time to rebuild the team, hire a proper technical bench and let them assemble players, who can run and think at the same time,” Abich told Flashscore.
“When you miss out on silverware and you are always finishing the season with a trophy, then that is a red flag, it means something is not working in the team, but again you now have enough time to strategise and put things right before the new season kicks off in August.”
Elsewhere, Gor Mahia goalkeeper Gad Mathews has promised a strong comeback in the new campaign while apologizing to the fans for the disastrous campaign.
“To our incredible fans, we know this season has been a disappointment. We understand your frustration and share in your disappointment. We didn't meet our goals, and we know we fell short of your expectations,” said Mathews, who took home the FKF Cup Golden Glove accolade, having kept four clean sheets and delivered a consistent campaign in goal.
“We want to thank you for your unwavering support throughout this challenging season. Your passion and dedication mean the world to us. We've been analysing our performance and are already working on changes to improve for next season.
“We're committed to coming back stronger and making you proud. Your support is crucial, and we need you to stand with us as we work towards a better future. Let's do this together.”
Mathew’s sentiments were echoed by midfielder Alphonse Omija, who said: “It has been a rough season; a season of lows (a very disappointing one) - Things didn’t unfold exactly as we had envisioned from the start.
“Whatever happened, happened. We can’t change anything for it's God's will that prevails, and his plans will always be greater and more beautiful than all our disappointments. Though we didn’t meet our goals, we totally understand your frustrations but see you next season.”
Despite ending the season empty-handed, Gor Mahia remain the most successful team in Kenyan history. They have won the Kenyan Premier League a record 21 times, and have also won the FKF President's Cup a record 11 times.
Gor Mahia remains the first and only team from Kenya to win an African continental title to date, having won the African Cup Winners' Cup in 1987 after previously reaching the final in 1979.
