Former Gor Mahia striker Ezekiel Odera believes a lifestyle change played a significant role in his failure to make a name at Gor when he joined the club from KCB FC.Odera moved to Gor Mahia in 2011 after a successful 2010 season with KCB FC, where he scored 11 goals, four fewer than Sofapaka’s John Baraza, the current Bandari FC coach.##NAJAVA_MECA_8130320##However, things did not work out at Gor Mahia. Firstly, he was signed to replace league MVP George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo, who had moved to Denmark. Secondly, he scored just one goal for Gor Mahia before returning to KCB the following year. He then played for eight other clubs before exiting the scene in 2023.Odera has now opened up about what transpired at Gor Mahia that may have led to his downfall. He says the pressure to replicate Odhiambo’s performance, along with lifestyle changes from earning a bigger paycheck compared to what he earned at KCB, led to him failing to meet expectations.”When I joined Gor Mahia, I was very young, having come from KCB where the pay was minimal. I went there to fill Blackberry’s shoes after his departure, and there was a lot of pressure, not to mention the lifestyle changes. There was money and women, but it was not about sexual relationships,” he told the Buzz.He added that despite his struggles, coach Zedekiah Otieno, who was in charge of the club for a brief spell, supported him until he left. “I failed to meet the club’s expectations, but Coach Zico had trust in me. I used to drink and there was money, but I never used any drugs,” he added.Odera quit the game in 2023 after being accused of match-fixing, allegations he vehemently denied and still insists were part of a witch hunt.Stars Abroad: Timothy Ouma features in defeat to Malmo
