The move by Gor Mahia players to down their tools and demand for a share of the league’s prize money has sparked widespread reactions from football fans in the country.The players refused to train on Monday with only a handful, mainly composed of new signings choosing to train.The team was scheduled to depart the country for the Coal City Tournament in Enugu, Nigeria on Tuesday but failed to do so due to the players’ strike.Gor Mahia take action on striking playersMozzart Sport sampled some reactions from the fans towards the move by the players.“That is gross indiscipline from the players, their salaries and allowances are up to date, FKFPL prize money is not in their contracts, they can only get a share if the management deems fit, downing their tools and missing on a tournament because of ignorance,” said Gor Mahia fan Eugene Messo.Janam Datche, a popular Gor fan, says that the move signifies a lack of professionalism in the club and calls for a radical surgery.##NAJAVA_MECA_8242118##“The whole situation portrays a very deep lack of professionalism at the club, and with the players themselves. Unless it was a written agreement, this is a very irregular expectation and the playing unit must be purged henceforth.”We would rather do poorly in CAF, as is expected, than continue with a unit of rebels donning the hallowed green jersey. Bottom line, the club must adopt strict professionalism.”Abu Thwalib on the other hand wondered how professional players can habour the thoughts of staging a go-slow.Francis Kimanzi set for first job abroad after agreeing terms with Tanzanian team“How can you demand a share of the prize money? That one goes to the club, not individual players, not unless the club always shares with them which is another case altogether. They will soon demand a share of gate collection and sponsor money”. Alex Ngare, a Gor Mahia fan who is also the team manager of a football fans team, Swara FC says the prize money is a club’s revenue“The club is obliged to pay their salaries and all allowances therein. Prize Money is the club’s revenue and it’s at the clubs disposal to use it as they deem fit.”##NAJAVA_MECA_8242111##Tusker FC fan Santoz Saluda believes players need education and should take time to familiarize themselves with their signed deals.“Players should read their contracts and not just put pen to paper on the dotted line. This is very embarrassing from them. Even local teams have since abandoned that thought of sharing prize money.”US-based fan Achar George believes both sides, the management and the players, have lost a good opportunity to propel them forward.STARS ABROAD: Wanyama watches on as Montreal close in on League Cup knockout stage“Both sides have lost a good opportunity ‘kujiendeleza’ (to develop),on the side of the office, this would have been an opportunity to have the team experience playing in an atmosphere that would have mirrored the CAF CL (Champions League) that they are about to play.”It would have been a good opportunity for the technical bench to see how the players fare against some of the top teams in Africa and South America, there is financial benefits that the club has lost by not attending.“On the player’s side, they missed an opportunity to showcase their skills in front of international scouts, to play a high class and experienced team from Brazil and the experience of bonding off the field.##NAJAVA_MECA_8246225##”Most importantly though is that they risk messing with their career because the team officials don’t really care about them and can decide to ban or suspend them and there is nothing much they could be able to do to stop it,” said Achar.On the fans popular Facebook group, KPL Chat, fans went on to give their opinions“They deserve a share but with no CBA in place, they are at the mercy of the club. In short they need a player’s union to negotiate some of these things.” said John Kibet.Tusker provide update on preseason plans ahead of trip abroadOpo Tim on the other hand believes this is a sinister move by club chairman, Ambrose Rachier.”Every year when Gor Mahia is about to play its CAF games there is always a crisis. This has happened with different players, coaches, officials with the only constant being Chairman Rachier.”It seems he deliberately precipitates a crisis every year leading to poor preparations hence humiliating defeats.” Some Gor Mahia players have since received show-cause letters for their actions.
