Gor Mahia coach Mihic: Kenya has stolen my heart

Barely two months after arriving in Kenya, Gor Mahia head coach Sinisa Mihic has fallen in love with the country so deeply that he is considering making it his long-term home.

The 48-year-old Croatian, who holds a Uefa Pro Coaching License, was unveiled as Gor’s head coach on February 3 on a six-month contract.

He took over from Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno, who had served as interim coach since November 13 following the sacking of Brazilian tactician Leonardo Neiva due to poor performance.

As he leads K’Ogalo in their push for a record-extending 22nd Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKF-PL) title, Mihic admits that Kenya already feels more like home than his native Croatia.

Falling in love with Kenya

Mihic, whose coaching career has taken him across the Middle East and Africa, says the warmth of the Kenyan people, the country’s culture, weather, and food have made a lasting impression on him. So much so that he is already considering purchasing an apartment in Nairobi.

"From the first day, I liked the country and the people. I feel better here than at my home (Croatia) honestly," he said.

"About the culture, weather, food… There is a big contrast with the Western life, but everything is going well. It doesn’t matter about the matatu, it is a nice connection, and every day you can see many different things, so you (Kenyans) are very rich," he added.

Speaking last Friday at the 'Mashemeji' Derby pre-match press conference at Nyayo National Stadium, Mihic revealed that his daily interactions with locals—including those struggling to make ends meet—have changed his perspective on life.

He recalled a touching moment at a Nairobi mall where strangers approached him for food.

"Even though the fight for life is not easy for some, the Kenyan people are good. I respect all people here very much, I love all my players, and this Kenya has helped me to improve myself and try to be a better person," Mihic said.

"Sometimes when I see those children, they have problems. You know you cannot close your eyes, and day by day, you start to feel this. And you feel good if you can help… so everything is not about football success.

There is the other part of life. So I feel here (Kenya) very nice, and once I finish my career here as a coach, for sure my plan is to have an apartment here to continue my life. I can come and go."

Mihic has praised the FKF-PL for being more competitive than many leagues worldwide but has raised concerns about the quality of playing surfaces, which he believes is hindering attacking football.

"In other leagues, you have two at maximum three tough teams, and you know very early in the season who will win, but here in Kenya, no. You have to give maximum effort, and it is nice like that," he observed.

However, he lamented the poor pitch conditions, arguing that they contribute to most goals coming from set pieces rather than open play.

"I have complained about the pitches because you cannot see the real situation of the football. What I see when I watch the matches and make an analysis is that most goals come from free-kicks, corners, and penalties… From open play, not too many goals, so I think it is about pitches," he explained.

Mihic also highlighted the scarcity of quality strikers in Kenyan football, an issue he believes affects overall performance in the league.

Sunday’s 'Mashemeji' Derby, which ended in a goalless draw, was Gor Mahia’s first match under Mihic in a standard stadium.