Gor Mahia: Exiting Shakava Thanks Fans, Coach Hassan Oktay Resigns

NAIROBI, Kenya- Former Gor Mahia FC skipper Harun Shakava thanked the club and fans for the rewarding five years he spent with the record league winners after sealing a move to Zambian powerhouse Nkana FC.

Shakava lifted the SportPesa Premier League (SPL) title five times with Gor, twice as captain and he insisted that it was time for him to leave and seek a greater challenge.

He joins the star-studded cast of Rwandese forward Jacques Tuyisenge and Harambee Stars international Francis Kahata who both left the club during this transfer window.

“As a player, times like these are always there; I have won the league five times as well as other domestic competitions, it was time for me to look for other challenges," Shakava stated.

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Shakava has been a pivotal figure in Gor Mahia’s recent dominance of the Kenyan football scene and his defensive partnership with Joash Onyango was the key factor in the minimal amount of goals the club conceded.

He was fortunate enough to get the once in a lifetime opportunity to play against Everton FC, both in Dar es Saalam and at the iconic Goodison Park, not forgetting a home tie against English Championship side Hull City FC.

“All I can do is wish my former team all the best next season. They have what it takes to be successful and there are players who can effectively fill my position and play even better than me, I am not worried.

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“I cannot forget the fans, they have been behind the team since I joined, and they have played a vital role in helping us get to the top,” he underlined.

Gor Mahia FC are currently without a coach as Turkish-Cypriot Hassan Oktay resigned from his position in an official statement released on Tuesday evening.

"Kindly accept my resignation as Gor Mahia coach, the decision has been forced on me by the challenges I am facing here in Europe.

"I wish to thank you and the entire club, plus the fans for the opportunity you have accorded me and I wish you all the best in your forthcoming assignments," Oktay is quoted saying.

Former Sony Sugar FC coach Patrick Odhiambo is the acting-coach as they seek a permanent replacement before the first leg of their CAF Champions League tie, away to Burundi’s Aigle Noir on Sunday.