Having qualified for the Cup winners cup, Gor Mahia embarked
on a recruitment drive to prepare for the 1987 season. In came
Peter Dawo who quickly impressed fans with his energy, effort
and ability to score. Back came fan favorite Charles Otieno
aka 'Engine' who had left fans heart broken when he left for
Kenya Breweries in 1984. Fans were elated and almost in
disbilef and giddy at the prospect of seeing 'Engine' and
'Zamalek' playing in the same midfield. Also signed that year
to sharpen the strike force was Anthony Odhiambo Ndolo, who
joined from Kisumu All stars. Tobias Ocholla joined and
imemdiately solidified the defence plugging the hole left by
Swaleh Ochieng Oswayo who coincidentally had a slight
resemblance to Ocholla, who was to later to earn the nickname
'Jua Kali' due to his tight marking. Anthony Ndolo was
nicknamed "Suzuki" because of his speed.
1987 is considered the clubs most successful year. That year
they won a unique treble : The national League , The Moi
golden cup and the Africa cup winners cup which had just been
named the Nelson Mandela cup. In addition the club provided 8
players to the national team which made the final of the 4th
All Africa games football tournament, Kenya's most successful
cup campaign yet.
This Image courtesy of Aaron Agola @
phasebook
Gor Mahia pictured in early 1987 Frontrow : David Ochieng, Tom
Gundo, Jaffar Mwidau, ??, Otieno Solo, Anthony Ndolo "Suzuki'
, Peter Ochieng "Pierre", Ben Oloo "breakdance" Sammy Onyango
"Jogoo", Ahmed Shero
Backrow: Otieno "Bassanga", Austin Oduor "Makamu" , Peter
Dawo, George Odembo Nyangi, Isaiah Omondi "Janabi", ??,
Charles Otieno, ??, ??, Abbas Magongo, Tobias Ocholla, George
Onyango "Fundi" , Maurice Ochieng "Sonyi"
The club was deep and experienced in all departments. There
was a lot of competition among players for starting positions.
In goal there was David Ochieng and Tirus Omondi , both of
whom had seen action with the national team. In defence there
was Isaiah Omondi , Otieno Solo, Otieno Bassanga , Bobby
Ogolla , Jaffer Mwidau and captain Austin Oduor. The midfield
which was deeper than the pacific featured, Abass Magongo ,
Charles Otieno , Okello Zangi , Onyango Fundi , Ochieng Pierre
and Odembo Nyangi "artillery". In attack Anthony Ndolo , Sammy
Onyango , Ben Oloo "breakdance"and prolific goal-scorer Peter
Dawo completed the line-up. In addition Gor Mahia acquired the
services of Dane Jack Johnson as technical advisor and Maurice
Ochieng as coach.
Charles Otieno's return to the team
in 1987 futher strengthened and already strong midfield. He is
pictured here goung against El Merreikh of Sudan in the 2nd
round match at Moi Stadium Kisumu
In the Cup winners cup, Kogalo started the campaign against
Marine of Somalia, also known as 'Baddy'. Gor Mahia won the
1st leg 3-0 in Nairobi and the second leg 2-0 in Mogadishu
with Peter Dawo scoring 4 out of 5 goals. George Onyango Fundi
scored the other.
In the second round they played El Merreikh of Sudan. The
first leg in Omdurman ended 1-1 with a goal from Peter Dawo.
The second leg was played in Kisumu's Moi stadium with Kogalo
showing appreciation to their lakeside based fans who are the
most fanatic and offer the club unequivocal support. The game
ended in a 0-0 draw. Gor Mahia utterly outplayed Merreikh and
launched raid after raid on their goal. But Sudanese keeper
Hamid Breima frustrated Gor Mahia forwards with a series of
incredible saves. At the time he could have been considered
one of Africa's best keepers. Gor Mahia thus advanced on away
goals rule. After the match Gor Mahia fans in Kisumu carried
Hamid Breima shoulder high in a show of appreciation. Never
had they seen such spectacular goalkeeping.
In the quarter finals, Gor Mahia faced Entente Deux of Togo.
The big talking Togolese arrived in Nairobi promising to "Cut
Gor Mahia down to size". Those were their exact words. But it
was Gor Mahia who ripped them to shreds. Sammy Onyango 'Jogoo'
was in fine form scoring the first two goals, giving Kogalo a
2-0 half time lead. Captain Austin Oduor 'Makamu scored the
3rd goal with a rising shot. Peter Dawo headed home Sammy
Onyango's cross for the 4th goal. Togolese striker Agunyo
Kwami scored the consolation goal and the match ended 4-1 in
favor of Gor Mahia. Elated Gor Mahia fans stormed the streets
of Nairobi and sung songs all the way to Nation house. In the
second leg in Lome, Togo, Gor Mahia kept their nerve and held
the Togolese to a 0-0 draw thus advancing to the semis.
Peter Dawo in action against
AFC Leopards keeper Kennedy Maitsi and defender George Sunguti
In the semis they faced Dragons L'Oueme of Benin. The first
leg ended 0-0 in Cotonou. As Gor Mahia fans listened intently
to the proceedings on the radio, Anthony Ndolo scored a goal
leading to mass celebrations only for the goal to be
disallowed seconds later. The second leg was played to a
packed Nyayo stadium. In goal for the Beninois was Nigerian
legendary keeper Peter Rufai who represented Nigeria at
several cup of nations and at the 1994 World cup. In
attendance was the then popular President Moi and his cabinet,
George Onyango 'Fundi' gave Gor Mahia something to celebrate
when he scored the opener after only 4 minutes with a
brilliant grass cutter from 20 yards that left Rufai flat
footed. But only minutes later, a Bassanga back pass was
intercepted and the Beninois capitalized to equalize. Half
time score was 1-1. Peter Dawo scored the second goal from a
corner kick and Kogalo fans were dancing and singing in the
terraces yet again. But with 15 minutes left, the Beninois
equalized. Gor Mahia were now staring elimination on away
goals rule. As the minutes ticked away, Gor Mahia launched
raid after fruitless raid on the Dragons goal. Finally with 2
minutes left, Gor Mahia were awarded a throw in near the
Dragons goal. Long throw specialist Tobias Ocholla took the
throw. Up rose Peter Dawo with a back header that beat the
hapless Peter Rufai in goal. Nyayo stadium turned into a near
delirium as fans celebrated. So Gor Mahia were now in the
final of the Africa cup. Eager they were to make amends for
the disaster of 1979 when they reached the final only to be
white washed by Canon Yaounde. The only players still present
from that team was hard working full back George Otieno 'Solo'
, Isaiah Omondi 'Janabi' and winger Sammy Onyango who was 17
year old school boy in the 1979 team. Kenyans of all walks of
life joined together to wish Gor Mahia the best, whether or
not they were Gor Mahia fans. In fact whether or not they were
football fans, they were excited at the prospect of a Kenyan
team Gor Mahia becoming the first team from East and Central
Africa to lift a continental championship.
They faced Esperance of Tunisia , a professional outfit at a
time when all Gor Mahia players were part timers. The first
leg was played in Tunis. Abass Magongo scored the first goal.
Esperance equalized then went ahead 2-1. Midway through the
second half. Peter Dawo scored with a brilliant long range
effort. The game ended 2-2. The return leg was played at
Kasarani to a capacity crowd. Esperance appalled fans by
engaging in dirty tactics which included eye gouging, some of
which was caught on camera. In the first half they focused on
dangerman Peter Dawo, several times elbowing, gouging and
stomping him. Still they could not stop him as he scored the
match opener from a corner kick taken by Abass Magongo.
Esperance equalized late in the second half but Gor Mahia won
on away goals rule. There were wild celebrations after the
match as several Gor Mahia fans stormed into the pitch to join
the team in a lap of honour.
In the 1987 league, Gor Mahia were also in sensational form.
On October 20, they faced arch rivals AFC Leopards who gave a
really good account of themselves. It was a tough match that
was decided late in the second half when Peter Dawo converted
a left wing cross from substitute Ben Oloo "breakdance".
Gor Mahia also won the Moi golden cup by beating AFC Leopards
2-0 in the final, thus completing a unique treble.
Gor Mahia FC celebrate the
1st goal against Mukura Victory of Rwanda in the 1988 Cup
winners cup: From left Fundi, Makamu, Dawo and Zangi (raising
arms)
In 1988 Gor Mahia looked to continue with the success of the
previous year. They recruited new players like giant stopper
Paul Ochieng 'Kunde', Ignatious Khaduli, Mike Otieno and
Hezron Osuka. In addition, goalkeeper Tirus Omondi and
midfielder John Okello 'Zangi' returned from suspensions.
However Gor Mahia's recruitment drive could not match that of
arch rivals AFC Leopards who were desperate to match Gor
Mahia's feat of winning the Africa cup. With the financial
muscle of Alfred Sambu, Leopards raided Volcano United and
Re-Union and poached national team players like Hassan Juma
and Davis Oyiela. Gor Mahia passed up the opportunity to play
in the CECAFA cup due to fatigue. Their place was taken by
Kenya Breweries who had finished 3rd in the league. Brewries
ended up winning the CECAFA cup that year thus underlining the
strength of Kenyan clubs in the region.
Impressive amongst the Gor Mahia new signings was stopper Paul
Ochieng. Since the retirement of the legendary John "Bobby"
Ogolla in mid 1987, Gor Mahia had lucked a true rock solid
stopper. Even as they won the Africa cup in 1987, the role was
played by Peter Otieno Bassanga was really a full back.
Ochieng was tall, strong and built like a tank. He was
unbeatable both in the air and on the ground. Mike Otieno was
only 18 when he joined the club straight out of Musingu high
school. The stocky left footed winger was explosive and had an
incredible acceleration which he used to whizz past defenders.
A product of Musingu Secondary, He was also an excellent
crosser of the ball with either foot. Mike's talent however
was never fulfilled due to his lack of focus and his "party
animal" nature which led him to miss practice often.
John Okello "Zangi" (left)
seen here playing for the national team. He thrilled fans with
his quick feet and ability to slice through and set up
strikers.
In 1988 Gor Mahia lost the league title to a resurgent AFC
Leopards. They however retained the Moi golden cup by beating
Kenya Breweries in the final.
In April of 1988, Gor Mahia provided an incredible 10 players
to the national team that played in the 1988 Africa Nations
cup. The 10 were goalkeeper David Ochieng, defenders Tobias
Ocholla and Austin Oduor, midfielders Charles Otieno, John
Okello 'Zangi', George Onyango 'Fundi', George Odembo
'Artillery' and strikers Peter Dawo, Sammy Onyango and Anthony
Ndolo. Midfielder Abass Magongo was also in the national team
but was dropped after he was accused by coach Chris Makokha
and team manager Joe Kadenge of causing disharmony amongst
players. So out went a player considered by most to be Kenya's
best, much to the chagrin of Kenyan fans.
So Gor Mahia set out to defend the Africa cup title they had
won the previous season. In round 1 they beat Mukura Victory
1-0 at home and 1-0 away. In the second round they faced BTM
of Madagascar. The local papers were replete with stories
about how Gor Mahia full backs would have difficulty dealing
with the fleet footed Madagascan wingers who supposedly could
run the 100m in less than 10 seconds. Indeed Tobias Ocholla, a
good a marker as he was might have had difficulty with that
speed. So in stepped Isaiah Omondi 'Janabi' at right full
back. He did an excellent job of staying toe to toe with the
Madagascan defenders. Sammy Onyango scored the 1st goal.
However the Madagascans equalized when yet another back pass
from Bassanga went astray. George Odembo Nyangi scored the
second goal with one of his trade mark missiles from long
range. So Kogalo took a slim 2-1 lead to Madagascar made worse
by the away goal they had conceded. Gor Mahia played a
cautious game in the return leg in Madagascar. As the much
seemed destined for a goalless draw, George Odembo Nyangi
scored the lone goal in the last 5 minutes to give Gor Mahia a
1-0 victory. Madagascans from that era probably wont ever
forget Nyangi. Not only did he score twice against BTM, but
hios cracker of a freekick had sunk the Madagascan national
team a year earlier.
In the quarter final, Gor Mahia faced Inter Club of
Congo-Brazza. They embarked on residential training in
Nyahururu. Large crowds of locals showed up at each training
session to watch Kogalo practising. Bad news reached the club
when it was announced that inspirational midfielder Charles
Otieno could not join camp due to job commitments. To make
matters worse, playmaker Abass Magongo left camp to attend the
funeral of his mother who had just passed on. Only a month
earlier, John Okello "Zangi" had been expelled from the club
by new chairman Douglas Oyieng Odolla much to the chagrin of
fans who liked Zangi. Odolla's reasons for expelling Zangi
were flimsy but such is the nature of Kenyan club officials.
So in short order Gor Mahia had lost 3 key midfielders. In the
1st leg, Gor Mahia won 2-1. Hezron Osuka scored the 1st goal.
Inter Club equalized midway through the second half. As the
match waned, substitue Mike Otieno made one of his trademark
explosive runs down the left flank and crossed to Peter Dawo
who headed home for the second goal. In the second leg , Gor
Mahia visited Brazzaville and were shabbily treated by their
hosts even to the point of being denied training facilities.
An appeal to CAF was not listened to. Gor Mahia lost the
second leg 4-1 having been demoralized by their hosts. However
as we know then like now CAF often applies selective justice.
Arch rivals AFC Leopards suffered at the hands of blatantly
biased officiating when they faced Diamant of Cameroun at the
same stage.
Peter Dawo in a league match
circa 1989
In the local league, Gor Mahia finished second to AFC Leopards
for the second season in a row. 1989 saw the beginning of the
decline of the club. Despite making it to the semi-finals of
the Cup winners cup it was apparent that the standards of the
once mighty club were falling. They lost the Moi golden cup
and once again finished second to AFC leopards in the national
league. Coach Jack Johnson left in a huff and the club began
to experience financial difficulties. On the continental scene
the club was left behind by several African teams which were
gradually transforming into fully professional units.
This image is courtesy of Omondi @ phasebook
The top pic is of Kogalo
players while playing the Cup winners cup quarter final
against LPRC Oilers of Liberia in Monrovia. Pictured is Abbas
Magongo standing akimbo, next to him is Jaffar Mwidau and
George Onyango "Fundi" with jersey #12
The picture below is of Kogalo players in Paris France in
1987. From left to right Abbas Magongo "Zamalek", Austin
Makamu "Oduor", Peter Ochieng "Pierre", Charles Otieno known
as "the engine", Isaiah Omondi "Janabi", Sammy Onyango "Jogoo"
and George Onyango "Fundi"
It was a real galaxy of stars. A golden generation for Kogalo
In 1989 Kogalo retained the Moi golden cup for the 3rd
succesive year by beating Kenya Breweries 2-0 in the final.
After the match, Abass Magongo who was man of the match was
carried shoulder high by fans.
Gor Mahia however lost the league title to a resurgent AFC
Leopards who benefited from their recruiting spree and
sponsorship from Crown Paints.
Having won the Moi Golden cup the previous year, Gor Mahia
were back in the cup winners cup in 1989. In the 1st round
they received a walk over when Villa of Uganda pulled out. In
round 2 they beat Costa Do Sol of Mozambique 2-1 at home and
tied them 0-0 away. In the quarter finals they faced LPRC
Oilers of Liberia. The 1st leg was played at Nyayo stadium.
Gor Mahia played a disjointed game and the game ended 0-0. By
this time , Danish Coach Jack Johnson had left the club due to
non-payment of his salary. After the match, Liberian players
celebrated as if they had won a cup final. Gor Mahia team
manager told the media that Kogalo would conquer the return
leg. Indeed they did, winning 3-1 in Monrovia. Coach Mohammed
Kheri had been drafted from Bandari on a temporary basis to
replace Johnson. In the semis they faced El Merreikh of Sudan.
After winning the 1st leg 1-0, they lost 0-2 in the return leg
in Omdurman. So Gor Mahia bowed out in the semi final.
