STARS ABROAD

Ugandans thought I was crazy when I converted Kagimu to no.6 - McKinstry

16:05 - 30 March 2023

Patrick kaddu celebrates his first goal for Gor Mahia in a previous game (courtesy).

Shafiq Kagimu joined Gor Mahia on a four-month contract reuniting with his former Uganda Cranes coach Johnathan McKinstry at Gor Mahia.

Coach Johnathan McKinstry has taken a sly dig at Uganda Cranes fans who criticised him for converting Shafiq Kagimu from an attacking midfielder to a deeper role in the team.

McKinstry, who was the Cranes’ coach from September 2019 to April 2021, won the CECAFA 2019 with Kagimu at the heart of his midfield.

The Irish man reunited with Kagimu recently at Kenyan giants Gor Mahia handing him a debut on Wednesday during a 5-0 win over Vihiga Bullets in the league.

🟢 | TEAM NEWS

This is how we line-up gainst Vihiga Bullets in today's league match at Kasarani.

New boys Sylvester Owino and Patrick Kaddu start.

KO - 3pm#Sirkal | #GorFansClub pic.twitter.com/J6ZutGZ097
— GOR MAHIA FANS CLUB (@OfficialGMFC) March 29, 2023

Debut

Kagimu starred alongside another Cranes' forward Patrick Kaddu who scored a hattrick as peter Lwasa added one in the rout.

“He is a player that I have known for some time,” McKinstry told media after the game.

“When I met him, he was playing as a left winger or attacking midfielder but brought him in no.6 and everyone thought that I was a little bit crazy in Uganda,” he softly expressed with a smile.

“I brought him in the national team set up and played him no. 6, and you could see today that he can play that one-two touch football

A satisfying return to @Officialfkfpl action this week, following the @FIFAcom international break for @gormahiafcke with a 5-0 win over Vihiga Bullets.

Another 3 points towards our target this season, and a warm welcome to our new recruits.

🟢⚪#Sirkal #KOgalo pic.twitter.com/mvBs8gevKB
— Johnathan McKinstry (@johnnymckinstry) March 30, 2023

Leader

The coach praised the former URA captain for his leadership skills and game approach.

“He is not wearing the armband but he is a leader on the pitch and a level-headed guy; he is a different type of player ...[who] moves the ball,” he added.

Gor Mahia lead the Kenya Premier League table with 45 points, six ahead of Tusker after 21 games.