Gor Mahia coach McKinstry explains why Kenyan league is more competitive than Ghana, Uganda & Rwanda

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FOOTBALL Gor Mahia coach McKinstry explains why Kenyan league is more competitive than Ghana, Uganda & Rwanda

Joel Omotto 07:36 - 07.12.2023

The Gor Mahia coach has explained why he rates the Kenyan league higher than Rwanda, Uganda and Ghana.

Gor Mahia head coach Johnathan McKinstry has lauded the competitiveness of the Kenyan league, saying it is better than that of Uganda, Rwanda, and Ghana.

The Northern Irishman took over Gor Mahia in 2022 after spells in Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Lithuania, Bangladesh, and Uganda and led them to a record 20th FKF Premier League title, ending their two-year drought.

He had to do it the hard way, however, fending off Tusker by just one point, with Kenya Police, Nzoia Sugar, and KCB all finishing six points behind, added to the fact that he had a thin squad with the club under a transfer ban.

McKinstry feels unlike in Uganda, Rwanda, and Ghana where two or three teams always contest for the title, the field is more crowded in Kenya which makes it more competitive than the aforementioned.

“The Kenyan league is the most competitive I have seen in a long time,” McKinstry told the club’s in-house channel.

“Having been in Rwanda, Uganda, there tends to be two or three teams competing at the top. You go to Ghana there tends to be two or three teams competing at the top.

“Here, this season the top six or seven are only separated by three or four points. It is ultracompetitive. You take our game at the weekend against Kariobangi Sharks who are 13th on the log against a team who are second at the time yet the game is ultracompetitive.

“It is very close for 90 minutes, in fact, a 91st-minute winner to claim all points. This league is extremely competitive. It has been said many times facilities are a big factor but it is not just match facilities.”

The former Sierra Leone, Rwanda, and Uganda national team coach is enjoying a good run again this campaign as his side took command of the table following their 2-1 win over Kariobangi Sharks on Sunday.

K’Ogalo remain the only unbeaten side so far this season and have accumulated 27 points, two more than second-placed Posta Rangers who they displaced at the weekend, but Kakamega Homeboyz, KCB, Bandari, Murang’a Seal, and Kenya Police are not far off as they have 20 points or more.

Gor Mahia will seek to maintain their perfect run when they host second-from-bottom Nzoia Sugar on Saturday.

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