Record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia have promoted Bernard Ouma to the senior team following his stellar performance with the youth team in the past campaign.The club has been opting to promote players from their junior side owing to the transfer ban imposed on by FIFA for failing to clear with their former players who reported the club to Zurich.Last season, the club promoted a handful of players from the youth team in a bid to plug in gaps in the team as the effects of the ban began to bite. Some of the players who were incorporated in the senior team include Paul Ochuoga and Dolph Owino among others.##NAJAVA_MECA_6606302##Ouma who penned a three-year long deal with the senior team joined the youth team last year from Nairobi United who are under the tutelage of former Kenyan international Simon Mbugua.The defensive midfielder who is looking forward to his maiden season in the top flight expressed delight after coach Jonathan McKinstry sanctioned his elevation to the senior team.“I am happy to have been drafted in the senior team after training with them for a couple of days. I can’t wait for the new season to begin. Playing for a club of Gor’s calibre in the top flight is a dream come true,” he said.Otieno named man of the match in Tormenta’s win over CharlotteWith the 20-year old set to face competition for playing time from the duo of John Ochieng and Ernest Wendo who all habour top flight experience, he revealed his plan of settling in and beating the two to the starting duties.The former Black Diamond Rangers player who hopes to turn professional in two years’ time acknowledged that his seniors were neck and shoulders above him but was confident in his double training sessions will see him beat them in the contest for playing time.“The club has good and experienced combative midfielders who are all in good shape ahead of the new season. I have been learning from them and I believe that I will be able to get playing time in the league despite the competition from them. I have a plan to work myself to the first team and I believe given the chance, I will be able to prove myself,” said the Butere Boys alumnus.
