Gor Mahia have been dealt a major blow after defender Rooney Onyango failed to travel to Juba for the first leg of the Caf Champions League preliminary round against El Merreikh Bentiu of South Sudan on Sunday.
Sources within the club disclosed that Onyango, whose name was conspicuously missing from the travelling squad, had an issue with his passport.
Football Kenya Federation confirmed Onyango’s passport is being held at the Italian embassy, alongside team-mate Musa Masika and some players from Acakoro.
Rooney is believed to have been invited for trials in the European country. The circumstances surrounding the confiscation remains unclear but the federation promised to give a comprehensive report after Investigations.
Rooney is said to be grounded in Kenyan borders till the issue is sorted.
The utility man, who can play at right back and midfield, was part of Gor Mahia and Harambee Stars travelling squads last season. He was also the captain of the Harambee Stars Under-23 side that played in the Cosafa tournament in South Africa from June 26 to July 7 this year.
However, Gor who overcame Tanzanian side Fountain Gate FC 1-0 at the Tanzanite Kwaraa Stadium on Friday last week, have Kenyan Premier League best player Austin Odhiambo back in the squad.
The Kenyan international, who topped the charts with 13 goals and 12 assists, missed the Cecafa Kagame Cup tournament in Dar es Salaam last month as Gor crashed out in the group stage. He was chasing a deal with Belgian side KAA Gent.
K’Ogalo head coach Leonardo Neiva is likely to use captain Philemon Otieno at right back in place of Rooney, but he also has options in new signing Alphonse Omija and youngster Paulo Ochuoga.
Assistant captain Geoffrey “Simiti” Ochieng, Kennedy Onyango, Levin Odhiambo and Joshua Onyango will shield goalkeeper Kevin Omondi who is fresh from winning the KPL Golden Glove.
With Austin taking his position in midfield alongside Aplha Onyango, Lawrence Juma and Chris Akena, Congolese new signings Gideon Bendeka, Samuel Kapen and Boniface Omondi will hunt for goals upfront Veteran goalkeeper Gad Mathews and youngster Mark Shaban also never made the Neiva’s 22-man squad to Juba.
