In 1980 , Gor Mahia qualified to play in the CECAFA cup
alongside arch rivals Abaluhya FC. David Otti was hired as
coach. Otti had an illustrious playing career for Uganda
Cranes whom he also coached when they qualified for the Africa
Nations cup in 1976. In the CECAFA cup, Gor Mahia made it to
the final where they faced Abaluhya in an all Kenyan final.
Joe Masiga who had been flown in from Nairobi to reinforce
Abaluhya scored the match opener. Gor Mahia replied via George
Yoga following a pass from Nahashon Oluoch 'Lule' who had
dribbled passed defender Washington Wabwire. Masiga scored
again after beating his marker Duncan Migan to put Abaluhya up
2-1 soon after the 1st half. John Chore equalized for Gor
Mahia following a cross from Paul Oduwo 'Cobra'. Nahashon
Oluoch scored the winner to give Gor Mahia a 3-2 win as Gor
Mahia lifted the CECAFA cup for the 1st time ever. George
Ayuka the Gor Mahia goalkeeper was the man of the match,
pulling off a series of brave saves.
On the continental scene , they featured in the Africa
champions cup. They almost did not play in the champions
league due to attempted sabotage by Dan Owino the FA chairman
who deliberately failed to send player cards to CAF
headquarters. Only intervention from the ministry of social
services assured participation. The round pittend Gor Mahia
against Horseed of Somalia. The 1st leg in Mogadishu ended
0-0. Gor Mahia won the second league 2-0 thanks to goals from
Goerge Yoga and Andrew Obunga.
After beating Horseed of Somalia in the first round, they lost
to Bendel Insurance of Nigeria in the second round. Gor Mahia
won the 1st leg 2-1 in Benin city thanks to goals from George
Yoga and Austin Oduor. Another goal by Yoga was disallowed.
According to the Nigerian press, Gor Mahia had totally
outplayed the Nigerians. Gor Mahia looked poised to win the
second leg in Nairobi or at least force a draw which would
enable them to advance. The Nigerians took a 2-0 lead but Gor
Mahia fought gamely to tie the score with goals from Mike
Adede and Andrew Obunga aka "Obung Singh". They appeared on
their way to the quarter finals but with 5 minutes to go
Bendel scored from a 30 yard free-kick by Ibrahim Alikali who
scored a heart trick. Bendel went on to to win the game 3-2
and advance to the quarter finals. Dan Odhiambo in the Gor
Mahia goal had a poor game. For the Nigerians, winger Sam
Okpodu was sensational as was George Omokaro. However Gor
Mahia were the better side and should not have lost.
The Gor Mahia line up on that day was : Dan Odhiambo,Oduwo
Cobra,Otieno Solo,Boby Ogolla,Mike Ogolla Machine,Hamisi
Shamba,Tim Ayieko,Sam Owino Kempes,George Yoga,Gedion Hamisi
Aziki ja konyango,Michael Adede.
The most memorable event of 1980 came when Gor Mahia FC came
under order to change its name. The directive came from
President Moi who ordered the disbandment of all tribal
associations. Arch rivals Abaluhya FC changed their name to
All Footballers club Leopards aka AFC Leopards. After much
agonizing, club officials considered changing the name of the
club to Gulf Olympic Rangers. However it was the intervention
of President Moi that allowed the club to keep its name when
he ruled that teams named after legendary heroes were not
tribalistic. The ruling was met with relief and celebration
amongst K'Ogalo fans.
Andrew Obunga receiving the CECAFA CUP from Minister for
Culture Jeremeiah Nyaga
In 1981 , Gor Mahia , fielding an array of new signings who
included keeper Charles Ondiek and Dino Kitavi retained the
East and central Africa club cup (CECAFA cup) when they beat
Simba of Tanzania in the final played at the Nairobi city
stadium. Nairobi mayor Nathan Kahara rewarded Gor Mahia by
awarding them the city crest in appreciation for representing
the city well. They finished second in the National league.
Gor Mahia howver won the KFF challenge cup by beating Busia
United thanks to goals by Abbey Nassur and Andrew Obunga.
Earlier they had eliminated arch rivals AFC Leopards 1-0
thanks to a goal by Gideon Hamisi. On the continental scene,
Gor Mahia played in the Cup winners cup. After receiving a
walk over in the 1st round, they faced Horseed of Somalia in
round 2. They won the 1st leg 3-0 in Nairobi with goals from
Allan Thigo, Sammy Owino 'Kempes' and Nahashon Oluoch 'Lule'.
They advanced after losing 0-1 in Mogadishu. In the quarter
finals they faced Djoliba of Mali. After loosing the 1st leg
0-2, they won the second leg 1-0 with a goal from Abbey Nassur
scored from the penalty spot after Nahashon Oluoch had been
felled in the penalty area.
Zack Mbori was elected as the club's 3rs Chairman at the 1982
AGM. At the beginning of the year, players Andrew Obunga, Mike
Ogolla 'Machine' Charles Ondiek and George Ayuka were serving
suspensions for conduct unbecoming. Coach David Otti left for
home after a 3 years stint. He was replaced by assistant Jerry
Imbo. Peter Ouma 'Pele' became the assistant coach. At the
beginning of the second leg of the national league, the team
was involved in a road accident which resulted in serious
injuries to players John Chore, Sammy Owino, George Otieno
'Vigo', Paul Oduwo 'Cobra', Mathew Onyango and Tim Ayieko. As
a result, Gor Mahia were not involved in league matches for 2
months. On the continental scene, Gor Mahia were pitted
against Dynamo de Fimia of Madagascar. They lost the 1st leg
2-3 with goals scored by Andrew Obunga and Gideon Hamisi. A
disagreement between players and club officials led to Gor
Mahia failing to travel to Madagascar for the second leg.
Following the player rebellion, 6 players were suspended :
George Ayuka, Charles Ondiek, Mike Ogolla 'Machine' Andrew
Obunga, George Yoga and Nahashon Oluoch. In addition, the club
was heavily fined by CAF.
Zack Mbori is congratulated by rival Luke Misiga whom he beat
to the chairmanship
By the end of 1982 Nahashon Oluoch 'Lule' and Sammy Owino
'Kempes' , two players who were considered the best in the
club had departed to the USA on football scholarships. Added
to this , Playmaker Alan Thigo retired after an illustrious
career that started when he joined the club in 1970. During
his career he acted as coach, and captain on different
occasions and is remembered by most fans in that era as
possibly the best playmaker Kenya ever produced. Also retiring
was tough tackling fullback Paul Oduwo 'Cobra' famous for
always playing with a headband. Tim Ayieko who was now at the
tail end of his career returned to Uganda. Following the
departure of those stars , others like Sammy Onyango , Hamisi
Shamba and Austin Oduor stepped to the forefront. Their shoes
were however to large to fill.
1982 was a forgettable year for
most fans. A year filled with turmoil, suspensions, key
departures an unfortunate accident and continental campaign
that ended in disarray. In 1983, Gor Mahia started the year
off at the CECAFA cup which was held in Zanzibar. The team
failed to make it beyond the 1st round. On the Continental
scene they faced Vital O of Burundi in the 1st round. They won
the first leg 2-1 in Bujumbura with goals from stopper John
'Bobby' Ogolla and Abdalla Shebe. However in the second leg,
Gor Mahia inexplicably lost 3-0 at home. Irate fans protested
and called for the return of former chairman David Opar.
Following the match, George Ayuka, Charles Ondiek, Mike Ogolla
'Machine' and Andrew Obunga who were serving suspensions were
expelled from the club after having been accused by club
chairman Zack Mbori of inciting players to a poor performance.
It also emerged that some club players had been bribed by
officials of Ugandan side Sports club Villa during the CECAFA
cup held in Zanzibar in January.
When the 1983 national league started, Gor Mahia had lost the
2 games and drew 1 game in the opening 3 matches of the
league. Particularly painful was the 1-3 loss to kenya
Breweries. It appeared the club was still suffering the
effects of the disastrous year 1982. Fans demanded immediate
changes. Patron Joab Omino and chairman Zack Mbori responded
and brought in British coach Len Julians to replace Jerry
Imbo. Long serving players like keeper Dan Odhiambo, Hamisi
Shamba and John Chore stepped aside.
With the arrival of Julians, Gor Mahia recovered and were
perched in the second spot of the league by the end of the 1st
leg. The newly overhauled club was was now resurgent. Several
youthful and new players who had been signed from relatively
obscure provincial clubs made a big splash. Among them was
goalkeeper David Ochieng "Kamoga" , probably the best
goalkeeper ever to play for GorMahia, midfielders John Okello
"Zangi", Peter Ochieng "Pierre" and Charles Otieno and
strikers Hezborn Omollo and Abdallah Shebe. Under coach
Julians the team played very attractive football and often
left opponents bewildered with their brilliant interpassing
play. The forwardline consisting of Shebe , Omollo , Hamisi
and left winger Sammy Onyango was rampant scoring an
incredible 80 goals in 36 league matches. That year the club
won the league title , the first of 3 consecutive titles they
won under Len Julians.
Captain Peter Otieno Bassanga holding aloft the league cup
after receiving it from Minister Kenneth Matiba, perhaps the
best, most proactive sports minister Kenya ever had
One of the biggest highlights of 83 came when Gor Mahia played
a friendly match against British premier league side ,Norwich
city. The Britons had expected to whitewash Gor Mahia as they
did in an earlier tour in 76. This time it was Gor Mahia who
silenced the visitors , winning 4-2. John Okello "Zangi" then
only 18 played a superb game scoring twice while Gideon Hamisi
and Hezborn Omollo completed the score.
Another memorable moment for club fans occurred on October 20
when Gor Mahia faced arch rivals AFC Leopards in a Kenyatta
day match. Gor Mahia required a win to guarantee the league
title they had last won in 1979. On 32 minutes, winger Sammy
Onyango waltzed passed full back Patrick Shilasi and unleashed
a powerful grass cutter which qhizzed goalkeeper Mahmound
Abass aka 'Kenya One' before he could react. Gor Mahia won the
match 1-0 and at the end of the match, President Moi presented
the league to captain Peter Otieno 'Bassanga'.
