Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno has once again been pushed to the sidelines following the appointment of Croatian tactician Sinisa Mihic as Gor Mahia’s new head coach.
This development comes just weeks after Otieno briefly took charge of the team as interim coach, following the dismissal of Brazilian coach Leonardo Neiva. Neiva’s tenure was cut short due to a series of disappointing performances that led to mounting pressure from fans, eventually prompting the club to part ways with him.
Otieno, an experienced coach with a rich history in Kenyan football, was handed the reins in an interim capacity. Under his leadership, the team showed signs of improvement, leading the club’s management to publicly back him. At the time, the club announced that he would remain in charge until the end of the season, with a possibility of securing the permanent role if he met expectations.
The club chairman even stated that there were no immediate plans to bring in a new head coach, adding that if the interim coaches delivered, there would be no need to hire a foreign tactician. This statement raised hopes that Otieno could finally secure the top job on a full-time basis.
However, in an unexpected twist, Otieno was relegated to his former role as assistant coach following the appointment of Mihic. The Croatian has been given a six-month trial period, with his performance set to be reviewed at the end of the season before any long-term commitment is made.
Despite this sudden change in the technical bench, Mihic’s reign began on a positive note as Gor Mahia secured a 2-1 victory over Mathare United at Dandora Stadium. Otieno remained on the bench as an assistant, playing a supporting role in the team’s first win under the new head coach.
While Mihic has taken charge, his future at the club remains uncertain, as his stay is contingent on his performance over the coming months. For Otieno, this latest development marks yet another instance of being overlooked for the top job despite stepping up when needed.
Gor Mahia’s victory against Mathare United propelled them to 34 points, keeping them in the hunt for the league title. They now trail joint league leaders Kenya Police and Tusker by four points, setting up a crucial showdown against Tusker in their next fixture. The upcoming clash could have significant implications on the title race, making it a must-win for both sides.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Mihic to see if he can guide the club to success, while Otieno remains in the background, once again playing a supporting role despite his contributions.
