Siraj Mohammed’s departure from Gor Mahia has become one of the talking points of the club’s pre-season, with the left-back’s move to Tusker FC coming after a challenging first year at K’Ogalo and amid questions from supporters over why a player who impressed during the CECAFA Kagame Cup was allowed to leave with no depth on the position.

Siraj built his reputation in the lower tiers of Kenyan football with Modern Coast Rangers, where his attacking instincts, work rate and ability to operate effectively from the left side quickly attracted attention. His performances earned him a move to Bandari FC in 2017, where he established himself as the Dockers’ first-choice left-back.

His time at Bandari proved successful, with the defender playing an important role in the club’s FKF Cup triumph in 2019. The victory earned Bandari a place in the CAF Confederation Cup the following season, giving Siraj an opportunity to test himself on the continental stage. His consistent club performances also brought him into the national team picture, with the defender earning call-ups to Harambee Stars and featuring in Kenya’s 2025 African Nations Championship campaign staged across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

In August 2025, Siraj joined Gor Mahia on a free transfer after turning down a contract extension at Bandari. The move generated considerable excitement, with the experienced left-back expected to strengthen a position that had been an area of focus for the record Kenyan champions.

His first season at Gor Mahia, however, proved more difficult than anticipated. Competition for places, an injury spell and the impressive emergence of teenage academy graduate Bryton Onyona limited his opportunities. Onyona eventually established himself as the preferred option at left-back, leaving Siraj struggling for consistent minutes.

With regular playing time increasingly important to his international ambitions, Siraj moved to KCB FC on a six-month loan during the second half of the 2025/26 season. The temporary switch gave him an opportunity to regain his rhythm before returning to Gor Mahia for the 2026 pre-season.

His return appeared promising during the CECAFA Kagame Cup in Rwanda. Siraj started Gor Mahia’s opening match against APR and produced an impressive display that attracted praise from both supporters and pundits. The performance strengthened his reputation as “The Mastermind”, a nickname associated with his ability to influence games from the left side.

What followed, however, surprised many supporters. Siraj did not start another match in the tournament, even after Bryton Onyona suffered an injury. On some occasions, Coach Charles Akonnor opted for makeshift defensive solutions, moving right-back Daniel Sakari to the left and using Paul Ochuoga, another right-back, rather than handing Siraj a starting opportunity. He was eventually introduced for only a few minutes during the knockout-stage match against Al Hilal Omdurman.

The situation became particularly puzzling to supporters when Gor Mahia again opted for a makeshift defensive arrangement in a crucial Final match of the tournament, despite having an experienced natural left-back in the squad. His limited involvement triggered speculation among fans that there could have been personal differences between Siraj and head coach Charles Akonnor.

Akonnor has since rejected those claims, insisting that he has no personal problem with Siraj or any other player and explaining that the defender himself asked to leave in search of regular playing time.

According to the Gor Mahia coach, the issue was first raised while the team was in Rwanda. Assistant captain Mike Kibwage approached him to discuss Siraj’s situation, although the conversation did not take place immediately because the team had just suffered a defeat. After the squad returned to Kenya, Kibwage and Siraj approached Akonnor during training to communicate the player’s desire to leave.

Akonnor said he was surprised by the request because he believed Siraj still had a genuine opportunity to compete for a starting position. He recalled that Siraj had previously requested a loan move during the previous season and had subsequently returned to the club, where he was given encouragement and assurances about his prospects.

The coach also pointed to Siraj’s performance against APR, saying he had publicly praised the defender after the match and had personally discussed his future with him in Rwanda.

Akonnor said he was therefore surprised when Siraj returned to Kenya and again expressed his desire to leave. He said he initially took time before responding, but the situation soon changed when Tusker formally requested the player.

The coach explained that if a player no longer feels part of the team and believes another club will provide him with the playing time he needs, he sees little reason to prevent the move.

Akonnor also directly addressed claims that he had a personal issue with Siraj, dismissing the suggestion and saying his relationship with players is based on competition and performance rather than personal preferences.

Interestingly, Gor Mahia’s own continental registration provides another important detail in the story. LTN Sports has seen the club’s submitted squad list for the 2026/27 CAF Champions League preliminary-round first-leg tie against Egyptian champions Pyramids FC, and Siraj Mohammed was included among the registered defenders.

The list was submitted before the August 15 CAF deadline, meaning Siraj had been registered for Gor Mahia’s continental campaign shortly before completing his loan move to Tusker. His inclusion indicates that, at the time the continental squad was being submitted, Gor Mahia still considered him part of its plans for the Champions League.

Gor Mahia registered four goalkeepers: Byrne Omondi, Humphrey Katasi, Kevin Omondi and Michael Onyango. The defenders listed were Siraj Mohammed, Mike Kibwage, Frank Odhiambo, Sylvester Owino, Daniel Sakari, Bryton Onyona, Paul Ochuoga, Lewis Bandi and Portipher Odhiambo.

The midfielders were Ebenezer Ocran, Alpha Onyango, Dwang’ Jackson Mulla, Lawrence Juma, Ben Stanley Omondi, Enock Machaka and Lesley Owino, while the attacking options were George Amonoo, Ebenezer Adukwaw, Hansel Ochieng, Patrick Essombe, Paul Okoth, Ebenezer Assifuah, Denis Omedi, Shariff Sirengo and David Okoth.

Siraj’s subsequent move to Tusker therefore adds an interesting twist to his Gor Mahia story. Rather than being simply discarded from the club’s plans, the defender had been included in the squad submitted for continental competition before ultimately choosing a move that guarantees him a better chance of regular football.

Ultimately, the debate over Siraj’s exit may continue, but the available evidence presents a more complicated picture than the suggestion of a personal fallout. Akonnor insists there was no dispute, Siraj reportedly asked for a move in search of playing time, and Gor Mahia had still included him in its CAF Champions League squad shortly before the transfer.

What happens next at Tusker could provide the clearest answer. If Siraj rediscovers his best form and becomes a regular starter, the move may prove to have been exactly what he needed at this stage of his career.