Gor Mahia won the Kenya National football league 4 times in
the 90s 90, 91 ,93 and 95 and the Moi golden cup only once
(95). In fact Gor Mahia would have won the league in 1992 as
well. They were tied with arch rivals AFC Leopards on the
final day and the winner was bound to be determined by goal
difference. AFC beat Transcom 7-0 on the final day. If this
result were investigated, it is likely that it would have
emerged that Transcom were bribed to concede several goals. On
the continental scene the club reached the quarter finals of
the champions cup in 1992 and the quarter finals of the CAF
cup in 1993.
The 1990s was the beginning of a
downward spiral for the club. The years between 1990 to 95 saw
Gor Mahia continue to dominate the local scene. However it was
obvious to all that the previously lofty standards of the club
were in decline. It became extremely difficult to sustain the
self-supporting club as a society.
In addition the economy in Kenya has taken a tumble leading to
financial difficulties for several Kenyan clubs. Whereas in
the past, the club was able to secure employment for players
at Parastatals such as KPTC, economic reforms in the country
made this impossible. This made it more difficult for
community teams to attract the best players.
The club was now unable to retain most of the good players who
leave soon after their arrival in search of greener pastures
or due to frustrations caused by lack of payment of
allowances. Several outstanding players came and went within a
year unlike in the past when players stayed on for several
years thus building familiarity
Felix Otieno seen here in action
against sibling Bernard Otieno "Zico" circa 1991. Felix was
extremely talented but indiscipline stopped him from reaching
his potential. Also worth noting, 1991 is the only time Kogalo
had a shirt sponsorship (International Casino) thanks to
Chairman Joe Ogode
The early 1990s saw the departure or retirement of most of the
players who featured in the crack squads of the 1980s. David
Ochieng , Onyango Fundi , Odembo Nyangi , Ochieng Pierre and
many others retired from active football. Austin Oduor and
Abass Magongo left for the middle East while others like Sammy
Onyango joined other clubs. Coach Len Julians , returned
briefly in 1991 and managed to steer the club to yet another
League title. Among the players paraded by the club in the
early 90s include goalkeeper Charles Omondi "Korea" , Jared
Ochieng Achieng , Sammy Omollo, Allan Odhiambo, Paul Ochieng ,
Felix Otieno and Mike Otieno.
One of the clubs biggest highlights came in 1992 when they eliminated traditional giants Canon Sportif de Yaounde In the Africa Champions cup. After settling for a barren draw in Nairobi , most pundits had written them off. However they managed to force a 1-1 draw in Cameroun thanks to a stellar defensive effort by among others Otieno Zico , Sammy Omollo, Paul Ochieng , Tobias Ocholla and Allan Odhiambo. This enabled the club to reach the quarter finals. That defensive unit is one of the best ever to play in Kenya. The crowd in Yaounde was stunned at the elimination of their favourite team by Gor Mahia. Gor Mahia reached the quarter-finals of the Africa champions cup which was the best ever performance by Gor Mahia in that tournament.
In 1993 Gor Mahia played in the CAF
cup. In round 1, they faced Coffee of Uganda. They won the
first leg 1-0 in Kampala thanks to a thunderous free-kick from
new signing James Atuto. They however collapsed in the return
leg at Nyayo stadium but managed to scrape through on
penalties. In the second round they played Hellenics of newly
free South Africa which was an all white team from Cape town.
Having lost the first leg 1-3 in Cape Town, the situation
looked perilous. The return leg was initially played at Nyayo
stadium whose field was drenched due to torrential rain. By
the 70th minute, the score was 0-0 and Gor Mahia were staring
elimination. However the referees deemed the pitch unplayable
and called off the match. The South Africans were chagrined
and protested bitterly. The game was replayed the next day at
City Stadium and Gor Mahia duly won 2-0 to eliminate the South
Africans. Then in the quarter-finals, Gor Mahia faced Atletico
Aviacao of Angola. After two scoreless draws, the match went
into penalties which the Angolans won. Joseph Asembo was an
excellent goalkeeper but could never save penalties. The
Angolans scored 4 penalties and Gor Mahia missed 2.
In 1994, Gor Mahia played Mebrat Hail of Ethiopia in round 1
of the Africa Champions cup. They won the first leg 2-0 with
goals from Aggrey Obonyo and Tom Okaya. However on this day
Gor Mahia were completely outplayed by the Ethiopians who
confidently knocked the ball around. Gor Mahia scraped through
on away goals having lost the second leg 1-3. Round 2 saw a
re-match with Egypts Zamalek who exactly 10 years
earlier had eliminated them under dubious circumstances.In the
first leg in Nairobi Gor Mahia played a superb game with Dan
Ogada and Tom Okaya pulling the strings in midfield while Dan
Shikanda ran rings around the Egyptians from the left flank.
After drawing the first leg 1-1 Gor Mahia once again lost to a
dubious penalty in Cairo. The score was 1-1. Zamalek were
awarded a penalty. Goalkeeper Charles Omondi Korea twice saved
the penalty but each time the refree ruled that he had
infringed by moving before the kick. Zamalek scored on the 3rd
attempt and won the match 2-1. Once again Gor Mahia had given
the mighty Egyptians nightmares.
In 1995 was a relatively successful year for the club as they
won the national league title as well as regaining the Moi
Golden cup in grand style. Players like Dan Ogada , Allan
Odhiambo , Steve Odiaga and Tom Okaya spearheaded this
campaign.
Dan Ogada evades a rugby tackle from
an Eldoret FC player. Ogada was arguably Gor mahia's most
consistent player of the 1990's
In 1998 Gor Mahia faced Zamalek in the 1st round of the CAF
cup. The game was won by a thunderbolt of a shot from Steve
Okumu. Gor Mahia's line up on that day was : 1.Victor 'Vicky'
Onyango 2.Pius 'Apuoyo' Wamaya 3.Joseph 'Jose' Akinga 4.Allan
'Ale' Odhiambo 5. Josiah 'Kaki' Ougo 6.Tom 'Gazza' Juma7.
Patrick 'Adesh' Oyiengo 8.Dan 'Dunga' Ogada 9.Steve
'Brigadier' Odiaga 10.Frazier Ochieng
1996 was the most disastrous year in the club's history. They
were eliminated in the 1st round of the Africa champions
league by Zimbabwean outfit, Dynamos, leading to the worst
riots ever seen in Nairobi. In the League they finished 8th
which was unprecedented in the clubs history. In 1997 , the
club recovered and almost won the National League , only
losing by goal difference to eventual winners, Utalii. Among
the players who were instrumental in that campaign were Victor
Onyango in goal, Josiah Ougo and Tillen Oguta in defence,
Frazier Ochieng and Dan Ogada in midfield and Bonaventure
Maruti, Steve Okumu and Steve Odiaga in attack. The club was
unable to hold on to these superb players , many of whom left
for various destinations including the Middle East. The last
two years of the millenium were characterised by inconsistent
performances by the club mainly due to lack of finances.
Because the club is flat broke they have been unable to hire a
qualified professional coach, Additionally the club has been
unable to retain its quality players most of whom leave after
a short period for greener pastures.
