Oktay: Yes We Won The League, Now It's Time For Gor To Conquer Africa

NAIROBI, Kenya- Newly crowned SportPesa Premier League (SPL) champions Gor Mahia FC have set their sights on breaking new ground and conquering African football, according to head coach Hassan Oktay.

Oktay led Gor to a record-extending 18th league crown on Wednesday despite playing out to a 1-1 draw against Vihiga United FC at the Kenyatta Stadium.

Gor will be coronated as the 2018/19 SPL champions on Saturday afternoon in Machakos after their second last league assignment against struggling Posta Rangers FC.

The Turkish tactician is however not content with the league honors and has challenged his players and technical bench to focus on taking Gor higher up the continental ladder.

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“We still aren’t making the most of all our chances and that troubles me very much.

“It’s great to win the league and I want to say congratulations to my players and technical bench for maintaining the concentration despite all the games we had to play,” Oktay told SportPesa News after the game in Machakos.

Gor defended their league title with two games to spare, having amassed 70 points, eight clear of second place Bandari FC.

“It’s a great achievement and I am very proud of my players but we can’t let it get to our heads, we must remain focused for the CAF qualifiers,” he added.

Gor made history this season when they became the first East African club to feature in the quarterfinals of the CAF Confederation Cup, a run that was halted by eventual finalists RS Berkane of Morocco.

Oktay went ahead to state that Gor have already proven that they are the best in the land and their next target is to make a stern statement in African club football.

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“This club is one of the best among the top teams in Africa and we have to prove that we can do it.

“This season we did good and made it to the quarters but our target is to do even better and aim at winning the continental title, then I will be satisfied,” Oktay underlined.

Gor’s final league assignment will be next Wednesday against sixth-place Mathare United FC. The same fixture concluded their campaign last year, a 2-2 draw at the Moi Stadium in Kisumu.

He became the first ever Gor coach to lose his first league game in charge and still end up winning the title, a 2-1 loss to Bnadari that he vividly recalls.

“The first game of the season we had 13 clear chances that we made a mess of and it cost us the game.

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“It was my first game in charge but I never lost hope. I knew the kind of players I had and instilling my philosophy into them was something that would take time but it eventually bore fruit.

“Gor is my family now and as the head I have to do all I can to keep it together. I don’t want to get rid of any players. Our spirit is solid and we can achieve anything as long as we do it together,” he concluded.