Gor Mahia captain Sylvester Owino has welcomed competition for places in the club’s central defence following his return to action after a two-month injury layoff.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsThe experienced centre-back sustained a calf injury in July, shortly before the 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup, ruling him out of Gor’s regional campaign and the opening weeks of the new season.During his absence, K'Ogalo were forced into a last-minute buy, bringing in Potiphar Odhiambo from Kakamega Homeboyz to reinforce their defence.Boost for AFC Leopards as Gambian striker returns ahead of Shabana clashThe new signing has since established himself in head coach Charles Akonnor’s starting lineup, featuring in the opening two league matches as the record league champions registered 4-2 and 1-0 victories over Murang’a Seal and APS Bomet, respectively.Speaking to Mozzart Sport, Owino welcomed the competition, insisting it would benefit both the players and the team while emphasising the importance of unity.“The competition is good for individual growth and team performance as well. The most important thing is giving support to whoever gets the chance to play.##NAJAVA_MECA_10055691##“Strong competition helps in improving individual and team performance. Most importantly, we’re a team, so we must support each other and grow together for the betterment of the team,” he said.The Harambee Stars defender described his time on the sidelines as one of the toughest periods of his career, admitting that watching his teammates compete without being able to contribute was particularly difficult.“It wasn’t easy, missing some crucial matches that I felt I could have helped the team get favourable results. BETTING GUIDE: Gor Mahia vs Bandari, match preview, team news and predictionEveryone around me did a great job, including the management, players, doctors and everyone who mentioned me in their prayers,” he added.Owino missed Gor’s run to the CECAFA Kagame Cup final, where they lost to Rwanda’s Rayon Sports, before sitting out of the two-legged CAF Champions League preliminary-round tie against Pyramids FC. Gor suffered a 7-1 aggregate defeat to the Egyptian side.The former Vihiga Bullets ace, who was recently appointed Gor Mahia captain just before the regional tournament, has Mike Kibwage and Alpha Onyango as his first and second assistants, respectively.##NAJAVA_MECA_10055700##However, he has yet to lead the team in a competitive fixture in his new role, having captained them only in a friendly against Rayon Sports.He praised Kibwage and Alpha for stepping up in his absence, with the former leading the team during the CECAFA tournament and Champions League outings and Alpha in the two opening league matches, expressing hope that his return would allow him to contribute both on and off the pitch.“The players who have been leading the team in my absence have been doing a great job, and I must thank them for that. I’m hoping for a good outcome in my first competitive match as captain,” he stated.Gor Mahia vice-chair calls on FKF to subsidize floodlight costs as night matches gain popularityThe defender also challenged his teammates to build on their encouraging start to the campaign while addressing areas that require improvement.“We’ve had a great start, and we intend to maintain that in as many matches as we can. However, there are areas that we still need to improve on as a team, and I think that’s where I come in, not only as a player but also as a leader,” he concluded.Owino will be hoping to pass a late fitness test and feature when Gor Mahia face Bandari at Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday, 24 October.