Turmoil at Gor as coach Ferreira ‘sacks’ Ottamax

Gor Mahia goalkeeper coach Matthews Ottomax. Club sources indicate that head coach Jose “Ze Maria” Ferreira has sacked the goalkeeping coach. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier said he is not aware of Ottomax sacking while club treasurer Ken Ouma dismissed the sacking claims saying that Ze Maria had no powers to hire or fire.
  • Ferreira, who was Mumias to handle Sunday’s GOtv Shield fixture against Nzoia United in Mumias, did not respond to our queries.
  • Ottamax claimed that the coach, had, commissioned one of the senior players to source for his replacement.

Cracks, which could deal a hammer blow to Gor Mahia's hopes of winning the league title for a record fourth straight year, have emerged at the club's technical bench.

Club sources indicate that head coach Jose “Ze Maria” Ferreira has sacked goalkeeping coach Mathew Ottamax.

In interview with Daily Nation Sport on Sunday, Ottamax, who had a distinguished goalkeeping career in his hey day, laid bare the simmering tension between him and his boss, Ferreira. Ottamax said Ferreira 'fired' him on Saturday.

However club chairman Ambrose Rachier said that he is not aware of such while club treasurer Ken Ouma dismissed the sacking claims saying that Ze Maria had no powers to hire or fire.

“The matter has not come to the office and if there is an issue then it should be brought to us. It’s however not official because the coach is an employee and has no powers to fire anyone,” Ouma charged.

Ferreira, who was Mumias to handle Sunday’s GOtv Shield fixture against Nzoia United in Mumias, did not respond to our queries.

CONSTANT SIDELINING

However, Ottamax laid bare the intrigues saying that his sacking comes in the wake of what he termed as “constant sidelining, harassment and disrespect” from the Brazilian.

“He told me yesterday (Saturday) that I was not needed in the team and that I could not fly with the team to Kisumu (for the GOtv game).

“Things have not been fine because the coach has been belittling us. He has no respect and talks to me using foul language in the presence of players,” Ottamax added.

Ottamax claimed that the coach, had, commissioned one of the senior players to source for his replacement.

“I decided that I could not take it anymore because he told me to keep away. He is running down the club.”

Ottamax broke the news of his exit from the champions' on his Facebook Timeline where he wrote: “A blank firing coach decides to fire his goalkeeping coach...maybe this will solve his scoring problems! Mine is to say a BIG THANK YOU to Gor Mahia players, staff, the executive office and our loving fans for everything we achieved as a family during the three and a half seasons I was with you. I remain loyal to my Mother Club”

Ze Maria joined K’Ogalo early this season taking over from Scot Frank Nuttall but has of late come under pressure owing to the team’s wobbly run.

The team has not won a league match in its last four fixtures, registering barren tame draws against Posta Rangers, Bandari, Sony Sugar and Ushuru.