Gor Mahia's selection woes ahead of the new season have deepened after it emerged that new signing Enock Machaka will miss the club's opening CAF Champions League campaign through suspension.The highly-rated midfielder has been handed a two-match CAF ban following his red card while playing for Nairobi United in last season's CAF Confederation Cup, ruling him out of both first preliminary round matches in September.##NAJAVA_MECA_9872928##Machaka was sent off during Nairobi United's final group-stage match against Congolese side AS Maniema Union after receiving a straight red card for a foul on Jeancy Mboma shortly after coming on as a second-half substitute. The match ended in a 3-0 defeat for the Kenyan side.Under CAF disciplinary regulations, suspensions carry over across the confederation's club competitions, meaning the punishment will now be served in the Champions League following Machaka's move to FKF Premier League champions Gor Mahia.Have Gor Mahia found Enoch Morrison's replacement?The suspension means head coach Charles Akonnor will be without one of his marquee midfield signings for the two-legged first preliminary round. Machaka will only become available if K'Ogalo progress to the second preliminary round.The latest setback compounds an already worrying injury crisis at the club.Captain Sylvester Owino is expected to be sidelined for around two months, while winger Patrick Essombe is also facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Even more concerning is the injury suffered by winger Samuel Kapen, who is feared to miss the entire 2026/27 season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament during the CECAFA Kagame Cup.Tusker sign out of CECAFA Kagame Cup with victory over Zanzibari championsMachaka's absence is particularly frustrating for Gor Mahia after beating several clubs, including rivals Kenya Police, to secure his signature during the transfer window.The midfielder arrived at K'Ogalo on the back of an outstanding campaign with Nairobi United, where he established himself as one of the league's best performers during the club's debut FKF Premier League season. His displays earned him both the Overall Player of the Season and Players' Player of the Season awards before completing his move to the record Kenyan champions.Gor Mahia will discover their first preliminary round opponents when the CAF Champions League draw is conducted in Cairo on August 6.The first preliminary round matches are scheduled for September 4-6, with the return legs to follow a week later, leaving Akonnor to reshuffle his midfield plans as K'Ogalo seek a strong start to their continental campaign.Harambee Stars duo miss as AmaZulu begin season with victory in South Africa
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