Gor Mahia head coach Johnathan McKinstry was reflective of the difficult start to the season it was last term, eventually leading up to a memorable 20th league triumph for his side, the Northern Irishman terming it ‘the most difficult season in 20 years’ at the club.K’Ogalo, on Sunday clinched the 2022-23 FKF Premier League title at the Kasarani Stadium after crushing Nairobi City Stars 4-1 to secure the necessary three points that, meant second placed Tusker FC wouldn’t stand a chance at catching up.##NAJAVA_MECA_7347240##“It wasn’t necessarily the most likely outcome, given where we came from at the very start of the season,” McKinstry said in an interview with the club on Sunday. “You know, seven, eight players in training some days, we were struggling with financial issues off the pitch and going through a transfer ban.” And as the season panned out, on the pitch things looked to patch up quite differently, and thanks to the management and sponsorship the ‘young team’ was put under.“One thing we always knew was that we had enough quality to take us through the season,” McKinstry added. “Our goal was to remain healthy, avoid injuries and suspension and remain in contention going into the last five to four games.”🟢 | UPDATE Coach Johnathan McKinstry take after winning the 22/2023 Premier League title. #Sirkal | #GorFansClub pic.twitter.com/quvSiLQM2X— GOR MAHIA FC – 🏆 (@OfficialGMFC) July 2, 2023 Remaining as challengers they did, maintaining a thin lead on top of the league standings – and despite winning just two of their last five games, their opponents (Nzoia Sugar and Tusker) fumbled, offering the perfect opportunity for the Green Army.Speaking of the penultimate league loss to Kakamega Homeboyz, McKinstry said: “That was a punch in the stomach and everyone knew and understood what was on the table: the psychological need to win. And they did just that.”Gor Mahia to keep coach McKinstry, beef up squadOn the season, McKinstry thought the team did exemplary well to ‘fight through fatigue and through the long 11 months training program’ while still finding the extra energy to push and win.“It was an incredibly difficult league,” McKinstry added. “More points from the runners up than has ever achieved in the league in the last two decades, it’s a very pleasing moment to be here as the number one team.”And after all the goods that come with champions, K’Ogalo on Saturday got the chance to play in a charity match against Homa Bay combined at the new Raila Odinga Stadium, winning 1-0 to add another piece of silverware on their ever expanding trophy cabinet.
