When word broke out on Friday afternoon that Gor Mahia’s debilitating transfer embargo that had prevented them from signing players since 2021 had finally been lifted, one player in Sylvester Owino might have even danced a bit upon receiving the news.This is because at the start of the current 2022/2023 season that commenced back in November, the highly rated centre back had taken a leap of faith when he opted not to renew his contract at Kakamega Homeboyz in order to join the record Kenyan champions during the mid-season transfer window that would end up being opened in February 2023.🟢 | ANNOUNCEMENT We are pleased to inform all fans that FIFA has lifted the two-window transfer ban that was imposed on us.We are now free to sign and register new players. #Sirkal | #GorFansClub pic.twitter.com/noQaFPv6au— GOR MAHIA FANS CLUB (@OfficialGMFC) March 24, 2023 For a young player who needs as much gaming time as possible under his belt, this meant that Owino, who finished third in the 2020/2021 FKF Premier League Young Player of the Year awards behind winner Henry Meja and Lawrence Luvanda, would not play any football for at least five months.That scenario almost ended up being troublesome when, with just under one week left to go before the close of the transfer window, there seemed to be no light at the end of K’Ogalo’s tunnel as their indefinite suspension had not been lifted yet, sparking fears of a possible absence from competitive football for one whole season.Highly-rated Kakamega Homeboyz defender Sylvester Owino has attracted interest from several second-tier clubs in Greece and could move in the next transfer window pic.twitter.com/QOZmx0E130— Jeff Kinyanjui (@_JeffKinyanjui) August 27, 2021 However, having committed to that difficult decision, the defender was relieved to learn of the lifting of the indefinite ban which meant that he and a bunch of other players would finally get the green lights to officially be registered as players of the mighty K’Ogalo – a dream come true moment for him personally.“It was not been easy to be honest because if you are a player who has gotten used to playing and then all of a sudden you find yourself unable to play, it is not easy.##NAJAVA_MECA_7125263##I was very eager to be on the pitch every time but it was something beyond our control and I could not do anything about it,” the player told Mozzart Sport.“I have always longed to play for Gor Mahia in a very long time and that is why I just had to stay patient trusting that my moment would come. It is only being patient that helped me through the moment and this (lifting of the suspension) is the fruit,” he revealed. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sylvester Owino (@sylvester_owino_) Ahead of being registered for the club, Owino, who now has the chance to fight for a place in the starting XI of the club of his dreams, has quickly shifted his focus to helping the team end their two year wait for a league title with only fourteen matches remaining in the current campaign where they hold a five-point gap over second placed KCB.“Right now, my main target is just to help the team at any capacity. Of course, I want to play but what is the immediate focus is just on helping the team claim the league title,” the player who, had trials in Portugal, said.McKinstry backs Omala for big future following Harambee Stars snubThe lifting of the ban means that Gor are free to register Owino whose patience, throwing caution to the wind and ultimate love for the club has ended paying off.Additionally, K’Ogalo can register the Ugandan duo of Shafiq Kagimu and Patrick Kaddu as well as Rwandese defender Emery Bayisenge alongside former Kariobangi Sharks player Enock Wanyama.
