Gor Mahia goalkeeper Gad Mathews will not be part of the club’s CAF Champions League preliminary round match against South Sudanese side Al-Merreikh on Sunday.Matthews, who has struggled to secure a regular spot in the team, was left out of the travelling squad announced on Thursday afternoon ahead of the clash at Juba Stadium. The FKF Premier League’s 2022/2023 Golden Glove Award winner has faced difficulties breaking into the first team since suffering an injury early in the season, with Kevin Omondi now establishing himself as the first-choice goalkeeper.##NAJAVA_MECA_8270295##After a tussle with the club, which required the intervention of Chairman Ambrose Rachier, the former Western Stima shot-stopper was reintroduced during the CECAFA Kagame Cup, a competition in which the 21-time FKF Premier League champions exited without recording a single win.Matthews first gained prominence on December 8, 2020, when then-Gor stand-in coach Sammy Omollo ‘Pamzo’ handed him a starting role against Rwandan side APR at Nyayo National Stadium in a CAF Champions League preliminary round match. It was his first-ever international match, where he made a name for himself by saving a penalty shot from former Gor Mahia star Jacques Tuyisenge.Forgotten Gor Mahia goalkeeper Gad Mathews resumes training, eyes playing time against SealMatthews eventually displaced former Kenyan international Boniface Oluoch as the first-choice goalkeeper until the arrival of Omondi from Sofapaka earlier this season put his starting position at risk.Another notable omission from the squad is the fast-rising wingback Rooney Onyango. However, coach Leonard Martins Neiva will have the opportunity to test some of his new players, including defender Alphonce Omija, midfielders Chris Akena and Enock Morison, as well as forwards Samuel Kapen and Gedeon Bendeka, who joined the club last month and are part of the travelling squad.Also included in the squad is midfielder Austin Odhiambo, who returned to training on Wednesday morning. Back to the Training Camp 🟢⚪️ pic.twitter.com/HDACK82y1w— Gor Mahia FC Ke (@gormahiafcke) August 14, 2024 The wantaway midfielder had been absent from Gor Mahia’s training sessions for weeks as he sought a move away from the club. There were reports of interest from Belgium’s Gent and several other clubs within the continent, but nothing has materialized so far.Benson Omala’s dad reveals Engin Firat’s hand in controversial transfer to war-torn LebanonGor Mahia will face El-Merreikh Juba in the first preliminary round of the Champions League on August 18, before the return leg at Nyayo Stadium on August 25.Gor Mahia travelling squad
