Page 12 - Pitch Plus Magazine - Template

Ochieng finished as leading scorer in the league with 20 goals, and Steve Odiaga in attack. The club was unable to hold on to Confederation Cup. These matches coupled with the Super Cup deputise. The first match for the pair ended in 1–1 with Mathare
ahead of the legendary William “Chege” Ouma who scored 16. these superb players, many of whom left for various destinations loss to Tusker and another league loss to Karuturi Sports led United, followed by a 0–1 loss to Oserian FC, a win against
The 1976 is one of the strongest the club had ever fielded. It including the Middle East. The last two years of the 20th century to the disbandment of the entire technical team led by Awono. Sofapaka and a loss against Ulinzi in late April. This was the last
included such stars as Masanta Osoro,[14] Paul “Cobra” Oduwa, were characterised by inconsistent performances by the Others shown the door included assistant coach Ken Odhiambo, loss for the club this year in any match. From there the club has
Festus Nyakota, Duncan Aluko and Duncan Migan, all of whom club mainly due to lack of finances. Because the club was flat team manager Jolawi Obondo, coach Julius Owino and fitness won 7 out 8 KPL matches against Nairobi City Stars, Chemelil
played for the national team at one point. Current Roads Minister broke they were unable to hire a qualified professional coach, coach Zablon Otieno. FC, KCB FC, Western stima – by doing the double in both
in the Kenyan Cabinet Chris Obure also played for Gor in the Additionally the club has been unable to retain its quality players legs except for a 1st leg fixtures ender draw against Stima. In
1970s. most of whom left after a short period for greener pastures. The 2013 season saw Gor Mahia clinch their first league title in 18 August 12, the club is number 6th on the log after languishing in
years, under the leadership of goalkeeper Jerim Onyango and relegation places in the first two months of the 2012 league. The
In the 1979 African Cup Winners’ Cup final, Gor Mahia faced 2000s coach Bobby Williamson. On the way to a record 13th title, fans club also has qualified for the KPL Top 8 tourney final against
Canon Yaounde of Cameroun, the defending champions. Over At one point, the club refused to pay a KPL imposed fine. KPL of the club popularised the phrase “Giniwasekao” around the Ulinzi after dispatching Tusker in both legs of the semi-final. This
confidence played a part in Gor Mahia losing the 1st leg 0–2. Managing Director received full payment of the Gor Mahia country, which is Luo for “we have taken this thing”. after, getting a walkover in the quartes against AFC Leopards
Lack of experience took its toll as Gor Mahia inexplicably lost penalty from an anonymous “senior official of another KPL club” who ‘feared’ showing up on matchday, giving a myriad of
the second league 0–6. There were unconfirmed rumours that who wrote in an unsigned letter that “it is deeply disappointing Gor Mahia players further added to the club’s mystique by excuses.
some players had been bribed. that a few colleagues who are senior Gor Mahia officials refuse finishing their Sportspesa Premier League fixtures for 2015
to respect the KPL policy against assaults on referees which their season unbeaten. Gor Mahia also qualified for the next round of the FKF Cup (the
1980s representative approved in February. Their refusal to respect the domestic title) after dispatching Borabu Chiefs 5–2 and are in
Gor Mahia beat AFC Leopards 1–0 to win the 1983 league and rules also saddens me because it is not those officials but their MANAGERIAL HISTORY contention for a treble. This success is attributed to the good
at the end of the match, President Moi presented the league to own players who are suffering the most after playing so well this working synergy in the technical bench, a tough fitness regime
captain Peter Otieno Bassanga. year. Out of respect and sympathy for the Gor Mahia players, I John Bobby Ogolla introduced by a Finnish expert acquisition of a professional
enclose full payment of Ksh 45,063 so they can resume playing. A caretaker coach, former captain and all-time legend Bobby goalkeeper coach but mostly to the excellent field combination
Gor Mahia won the inaugural Moi Golden Cup by beating Ogolla, took the position of head coach, assisted by Technical of the team’s players. The technical bench has revamped and
Bandari 1–0 in the final. An injury time goal by Hezborn Omollo 2010s manager Tom Ogweno (a former Kenya national striker and reorganised the playing unit to create a potent force within just a
secured the victory at Nyayo stadium. The tough Bandari outfit From a financial perspective, 2011 was a landmark year because Ulinzi Stars player) and was immediately thrust into tough fixtures few months.
coached by Mohammed Kheri was at the time playing in the that was the year that Gor Mahia secured their first ever against Tusker and A.F.C. Leopards. The team gave a very good
Coast Provincial League. Winning the Moi Golden Cup enabled legitimate shirt sponsorship. Previously in 1991, Gor Mahia wore account of themselves in both games despite losing 2–0 to the After failing to return on time from holiday, Logarusić was sacked
Gor Mahia to participate in the 1987 Africa Cup Winners Cup. shirts emblazoned International Casino. However the proceeds former and drawing 0–0 against the in-form Leopards in a match with immediate effect on 25 June 2013, and replaced by former
from that sponsorship are unknown and clouded in mystery. The marred by crowd trouble.[ Uganda national team manager Bobby Williamson 9 days later,
In 1989 K’Ogalo retained the Moi Golden Cup for the 3rd Ksh. 38 million Tuzo sponsorship by Spin-Knit Dairy was the most on 5 July 2013.
successive year by beating Kenya Breweries 2–0 in the final. lucrative by any club in Kenya when announced. Gor Mahia went In the next matches, Gor drew 1–1 with Rangers and 0–0 with
After the match, Abass Magongo who was man of the match on to win the FKL Cup and finish fourth in the league. Sony as Ogolla tried to steady the ship from sinking. Bobby Williamson
was carried shoulder high by fans. Gor Mahia however lost the Bobby Williamson’s managerial debut came in a league
league title to a resurgent AFC Leopards who benefited from At the beginning of the season, the club acquired Moses Zdravko Logarusić match against Sugar FC on 17 July 2013.[53] He left the club in
their recruiting spree and sponsorship from Crown Paints Kenya. Odhiambo, a former international who had played in Tanzanian In April 2012, Croatian tactician Zdravko Logarusić was drafted September 2014, being replaced by Frank Nuttall, whom he
[23] Having won the Moi Golden Cup the previous year, Gor and Rwandese leagues and he proved to be a revelation. as head coach. Bobby Ogolla, ever the gentleman, accepted to recommended to the club.
Mahia were back in the Cup winners Cup in 1989. In the 1st round Teenage striker Edwin Lavatsa was also a big hit in his first
they received a walk over when Villa of Uganda pulled out. In season in the KPL. After strong performances in mid-season, the
round 2 they beat Costa Do Sol of Mozambique 2–1 at home steam run out and Gor finished 4th in the league, largely due to ACHIEVEMENTS
and tied them 0–0 away. In the quarter finals they faced LPRC disharmony in the technical bench and overcommitment of head
Oilers of Liberia. The 1st leg was played at Nyayo stadium. Gor coach Zedekiah Otieno to the Kenya national team. In Otieno’s CAF Cup Winners’ Cup: 1 - 1987 Cup/President’s Cup/KFF Cup/FKL Cup: 10 - 1976, 1981,
Mahia played a disjointed game and the game ended 0–0. By absence, Cameroonian assistant coach Anaba Awono led the
this time, After the match, Liberian players celebrated as if they club to win the FKL Cup after beating bitter rivals A.F.C. Leopards CECAFA Clubs Cup: 3 - 1980, 1981, 1985 1983, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1992, 2008, 2011, 2012
had won a Cup final. Gor Mahia team manager told the media in the semis and then edging out Sofapaka in the final.The club Kenyan Premier League: 15 - 1968, 1974, 1976, 1979, 1983, Kenyan Super Cup: 3 - 2009, 2013 (pre-season), 2015
that K’Ogalo would conquer the return leg. Indeed, they did, also conducted its elections towards the end of November and
winning 3–1 in Monrovia. Coach Mohammed Kheri had been brought in many youthful officials. 1984, 1985, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 2013, 2014, 2015 KPL Top 8 Cup: 2 - 2012, 2015
drafted from Bandari on a temporary basis to replace Johnson. Kenya Challenge Cup/Moi Golden Cup/Transparency
In the semis they faced El Merreikh of Sudan. After winning the Gor Mahia started the 2012 season in high tempo after attending
1st leg 1–0, they lost 0–2 in the return leg in Omdurman. So Gor the traditional Nyanza tour to meet fans and recruit more players
Mahia bowed out in the semi final. from the fanatical homeland. The tour itself was a gruelling 6-day
affair where the team played 9 matches, winning 7 and drawing CURRENT SQUAD
1990s two
1996 was the most disastrous year in the club’s history. They
were eliminated in the 1st round of the Africa champions league The club went on a signing spree in preparation for the 2012 No. Position Player 10 MF Khalid Aucho 23 GK Boniface Oluoch
by Zimbabwean outfit, Dynamos, leading to the worst riots ever CAF Confederation Cup, bringing in more than 10 players.[31] 1 GK Jerim Onyango (Captain) 12 GK David Juma 24 DF Israel Emuge
2
Godfrey Walusimbi
DF
seen in Nairobi. In the League they finished 8th which was Baldwin Ngwa and Ibrahim Kitawi rejoined the squad Soccer 3 MF Abouba Sibomana 14 DF Karim Nizigiyimana 25 FW George Odhiambo
unprecedented in the clubs history. In 1997, the club recovered pundits and fans had cautiously termed this as one of the 4 DF Kevin Oluoch 15 DF Bernard Odhiambo 26 DF Dirkir Glay
and almost won the National League, only losing by goal strongest squads ever in decades at the club. However, this 17 MF Erick Ochieng 27 DF Simon Pierre
difference to eventual winners, Utalii. Among the players who was not to be, as the club, despite a winning start against Thika 5 DF Musa Mohammed 18 DF Haron Shakava 29 FW Innocent Wafula
were instrumental in that campaign were Victor Onyango in goal; United in the league on 12 February 2012, went on to lose 6 MF Collins Okoth 19 DF Eric Ouma 30 MF Ali Abondo
Ronald Otieno
MF
7
Josiah Ougo and Tillen Oguta in defence; Frazier Ochieng and 3–0 away to debutants Muhoroni Youth and 1–0 at home to 8 FW Enock Agwanda 20 MF Ernest Wendo 99 DF Taofic Zachary
Dan Ogada in midfield and Bonaventure Maruti, Steve Okumu Ferroviário de Maputo of Mozambique in the first hurdle of the 22 FW Meddie Kagere – DF Martin Werunga
9 FW Timothy Otieno
12 PITCH PLUS SPORTS MAGAZINE PITCH PLUS SPORTS MAGAZINE 13