By David Ndolo
Gor Mahia assistant coach Kobi Bismark-Mensah has opened up about the challenges the club faces whenever its players are called up to the Harambee Stars.
Speaking ahead of the upcoming FIFA international window, Bismark-Mensah said that while national team call-ups are a source of pride, they also pose physical and tactical challenges for the club.
Seven Gor Mahia players have been named in the Harambee Stars squad ahead of friendly matches against Equatorial Guinea on Friday, 14 November, at the Emir Complex, and Senegal on Tuesday, 18 November, at the Mardan Stadium. These matches are part of preparations for upcoming World Cup Qualifiers play-offs.
“Several of our regular players also play for the national team. It is good, but when there is a break like this, especially when they are not playing home games, they travel a lot. Before they come back, they will be a bit tired,” the Ghanaian tactician told Hivisasa.co.ke after Gor Mahia’s 2-0 win over Police FC at Nyayo Stadium over the weekend.
“Sometimes it affects their strength, but at the end of the day, it is also good for them to get that exposure. We just have to manage it and make sure we get the best out of them,” he added.
Among the seven called up is defender Bryton Onyona, who earned his first-ever national team invitation following stellar performances for Gor Mahia. His selection has been praised as a reward for hard work, discipline, and consistency.
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The other Gor Mahia players named in the squad include goalkeeper Bryne Omondi, defenders Sylvester Owino and Mike Kibwage, and midfielders Alpha Onyango, Shariff Musa, and Austine Odhiambo, all of whom have been key contributors to the club’s success this season.
The Kenyan Premier League will take a brief hiatus for the FIFA international break, before resuming later in November.
