The air at Stima Club yesterday crackled with more than just pre-match anticipation, as Gor Mahia head coach, Sinisa Mihic, the expressive Croatian tactician affectionately known as Mihic, reportedly detonated a managerial bomb, sending his assistant coach Michael Nam and team manager Victor Nyaoro unceremoniously packing. The dramatic development, first brought to light by Nation Sport, paints a picture of internal strife threatening to derail the reigning Football Kenya Federation Premier League champions just days before their crucial clash against KCB on Sunday.
Sources indicate that the simmering tensions between Mihic and his now-departed lieutenants boiled over during a training session that quickly descended into acrimony. A heated argument between Mihic and Nam reportedly escalated to the point of near-physical confrontation, a spectacle that left players watching in stunned silence. In a move that speaks volumes about the depth of the discord, Mihic allegedly ejected both Nam and Nyaoro from the training grounds, daring them to witness which team they would be training if they chose to remain as players.
Mihic, in his characteristic forthright manner, didn’t mince his words when addressing the situation. “There is no way I’m going to work with them because I can’t be blackmailed,” he declared, his frustration palpable even through the reported quotes. He further elaborated on his grievances, revealing a surprising level of personal investment in the team beyond his coaching duties. “These are people I have tried to work with, lent them money. I have even used my own money to facilitate some of our activities on my own good will. Why are they sabotaging and fighting me?” he questioned, leaving one to wonder what exactly transpired behind the closed doors of the K’Ogalo camp.
This isn’t the first sign of turbulence within the Gor Mahia technical bench. Reports from Monday’s training session detail an unusual delay, with players reportedly kept waiting for hours before training could commence due to what is now understood to be a standoff between the head coach and his assistants. This paints a picture of a fractured environment, hardly conducive to preparing for a high-stakes league encounter.
Despite the internal turmoil, Mihic insists on maintaining a semblance of professionalism, at least in team selection. “I can’t, out of influence, play those who are not following instructions,” he stated firmly, hinting at potential disagreements over player selection. In a bold declaration that will surely resonate with local football fans, he added, “Kenyan players are even better than some of the foreigners they want me to field in games.” This statement not only underscores his belief in local talent but also subtly points towards a possible point of contention with his former assistants. Mihic also drew on his past experiences, stating, “Furthermore, I have served as an assistant coach before in various teams but I haven’t behaved or witnessed such behaviour they are showing. It is bad.”
Efforts to get the other side of the story proved futile, as calls to Zico (presumably a nickname for one of the assistants), Nam, and Nyaoro went unanswered. Their silence only adds to the intrigue surrounding this dramatic fallout.
Looking ahead, Mihic remains focused on the immediate task at hand – winning the league. He outlined his future plans, stating that if he remains at the helm of K’Ogalo, he intends to formulate a transfer strategy aimed at bringing in players who fit his system and releasing those who don’t. This suggests a potential overhaul of the squad shortly, contingent on his continued tenure.
The sudden dismissal of his assistants just days before a crucial league fixture raises serious questions about the stability within the Gor Mahia camp.
