GOR CONGO TRIP IN SERIOUS DOUBT: Club needs Sh5m for fixture, yet they raised Sh0.5m

Gor Mahia raised Sh511,000 during a fundraiser held on Tuesday night, raising fears about the team’s chances of honouring their CAF Champions League match against AC Leopards this weekend. The club said they need Sh5.2 million to honour Sunday’s CAF Champions League match against Leopards of Congo Brazzaville away. Club chairman Ambrose Rachier expressed fears that the team may not travel. A poorly-attended fundraiser at Nairobi Club on Tuesday night raised Sh511,000 of the required Sh5.2 million. Speaking afterwards, Rachier admitted it would be difficult to travel to Congo. “We fear we may not travel to Congo because we do not have the money to honour the match. The tickets to Congo alone for 30 people, including players and members of the technical bench, cost Sh2.8 million,” he said. He added: “It is possible that we can get tickets and travel, but the real issue is being able to take care of the team in Congo. We will be in a foreign country with no money to pay for accommodation and transport costs. “We are appealing to our fans and other well-wishers to come to our aid, otherwise it will be difficult to travel.” Rachier admitted that they understand the implications of not travelling to Congo as the team may be fined and banned from international competitions. “We are aware of the implications of not honouring the match, but we find ourselves in a situation whereby even if we are able to acquire air-tickets, we will have problems staying in Congo because of inadequate finances. “Unless something radical happens between now and Friday, we may not be able to honour the return fixture,” he said. He reiterated that the club’s future looks bleak owing to lack of a sponsor, but assured club supporters that in a few months time, a sponsor will come on board. The club boss said the greatest challenge facing the team is to clean up their image so that they can re-brand themselves. He said the club is targeting at least Sh135 million per year to be on a sound footing to sustain themselves. “At the moment, the money we get from SuperSport and Tusker is not enough to sustain our club. We have around four major strategies which we want to embark on to alleviate our financial problems. “This includes pursuing a sponsor whom we were promised when we visited State House early this year. We will also launch a co-operative society so as to tap into our huge fan base,” he explained.
Nairobi City Stars Chairman, Peter Jabuya, who gave a personal donation of Sh10,000, pledged to surrender the entire gate collection during their Wednesday mid-week KPL tie pitting his club against Bandari at City Stadium. Entrance fee is Sh200.