KPL matches suspended as FKF invites Gor Mahia & AFC
The Kenya Premier League has suspended its activities after a court order that barred the league from proceeding was finally received by the KPL. Football Kenya Federation had on Friday evening secured an injunction from the High Court barring KPL from conducting any matches, but the league body went ahead with seven fixtures because it had not been served.
“We were served early in the morning and we are currently preparing documentation to challenge the court order. As it stands now, we cannot hold any league matches until the case is heard so we are hoping that that it happens as soon as possible,” KPL CEO Jack Oguda said to the Daily Nation.
The order states: “It is hereby ordered that the Defendants/Respondents be and are hereby restrained by way of injunction from hosting, commencing, starting, running, managing or in any other way conducting a parallel premier league in Kenya in the name of the Kenyan Premier League or in any other name for 14 days from today 20th February, 2015.”
The Defendants are Kenyan Premier League Limited, Kenya Referees Association and the Sports Kenya. Oguda indicated that KPL plans to challenge the order in those same courts.
“We cannot go against the law. I think we have a legitimate case against our challengers which we shall argue out on those same courts,” Oguda said.
Players up in arms
A number of players both overseas and at home are speaking out against what they perceive as selfishness and incompetence on the part of the parties involved in the current tug of war.
Last week, Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama urged the feuding parties to find common ground for the sake of the game.
“For the sake of our beloved game, FKF & KPL is time to think about the future generation, players and their family who depend on football to earn a living. Let us unite and speak as one and raise the Kenyan flag into the next level,” the Southampton midfielder posted on his Twitter handle.
Former captain Dennis Oliech also weighed in.
“Enough is enough, we will not see football being destroyed in Kenya and the dreams of the youth extinguished. Let’s all stand up for justice in football,” Oliech posted on his wall.
And Monday, Stars and Lillestrom goalkeeper Arnold Origi launched a scathing attack on FKL and KPL.
In a hard-hitting post, Origi termed the two bodies “selfish”, while challenging his fellow footballers to stand up and fight for their rights.
Local players led by Bandari goalkeeper accused stakeholders of putting their livelihood in peril. They vowed to lead fans in a demo to get the current officials banned from football if the issue is not resolved.
Nyamweya formally introduces FKF Kenya Premier league
FKF chairman Sam Nyamweya claims that he has received a petition from owners of Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards demanding that both teams be included in the FKF premier league. Both sides were included in the list of teams that will participate.
Nyamweya announced that each team will receive Ksh 1 million to begin with and receive a further Ksh 1 million each month. He announced that the league will be run by a governing council of the clubs. According to him, FKF will have nothing to do with the league. Though he contradicted himself by saying FKF will have a veto vote.
He announced that a sponsor has been found and will be unveiled soon.
Nyamweya announced that there will be a new broadcaster announced soon. The broadcaster will have live streaming, pay TV, free to air TV, radio broadcasting, inflight services and a host of components yet to be seen in this republic according to Nyamweya. who stated that he wants Kenyans to watch matches free of charge.
All this is very enticing to the public. But football fans will be forgiven for not believing Nyamweya.
It must be asked that if Nyamweya has a sponsor and a broadcast partner ready then why has he not unveiled them? Does he want clubs to commit to a league only to find out 3 months from now that there is no sponsor nor broadcast partner?
Nyamweya announced that he has been petitioned by the real owners of Gor Mahia and AFC not to lock the two clubs out. He stated “Gor Mahia is not owned by one person” in apparent reference to chairmen Ambrose Rachier and Allan Kasavuli.
Nyamweya…………..their is another oone called Asembo……….
We have taken note, sadly and painfully so, and what will FIFA do now that people have dragged football matters to court? Is this not the time for the government to also come in and put a stop to all this circus? Which side of Gor and AFC are being talked about here, is someone crying for their popular support? And someone please tell me when are the next elections for this federation? Or any other association that could be in the offing,very likely?
I want to use my vote wisely, there are some people I must remove from this selfish leadership, and confine to the dustbin of football history of this country. I want to put in people who understand football, people who played some football and can understand the plight of poor players; I want to restore discipline and eliminate greed bedeviling the Kenyan game, restore our game to where it is supposed to be, the beautiful game managed by sober people who are driven only by the motive to develop and not to gorge themselves full and vomit on our shoes while the player suffers as they eat. Pause and ask: what is it that is the cause of all this fight? MONEY!!! TO HELL, am fed up to here, see my neck.
To cap it all I quote posts by John Baraza (Sofapaka) :” If Nelson Mandela could sit down with the guys who treated him inhumanly in South Africa and be able to come up with a way forward for his nation,then why not you hardliners(FKF & KPL). Kenya is watching.Chest thumping will take us nowhere.”
Victor Wanyama : ” For the sake of our beloved game,FKF& KPL , its time to think about future generation,players and their families who depend on football for a
living. Let us unite and speak as one and raise the Kenyan flag”
I urge Gor Mahia to seriously consider their stand ….
1. if you win KPL league, where will you go ? FIFA and CAF only recognizes FKF therefore no continental or regional exposure for the boys.
2. if you win KPL league, so what next ? FIFA and CAF only recognizes FKF therefore we will bot have any significant monetary reward to come with that ?
I have solid evidence that (FKF) has received a Ksh. 27 Million (300,000 USD) from MP and Silva Sarl for sponsorship deal so it only goes to say that as champions of Kenya, we have to put our mouth where the money is ……………..FKF
@Jakoyo, I beg to differ. What message will we be sending out there to clubs who look upon us to show them the way forward. Clubs like Bayern, Barca, Real etc lead in terms of everything to be emulated by the smaller clubs. What Nyamweya has realized is that without Gor and even Ingwe his league is just that. another football league. If they can create a company to run the league then what is wrong with KPL. And when he talks of veto power he actually means doing what they did with Shabana and Zoo.
On Broadcasting who will they use? Even SS now has partnership with KBC and moreover has a beter reach in Africa in terms of sport. Withoust SS players like Wanga, Calabar , Were etc could still be playing locally.
As Gor fans say ‘ ok wabi secho’ (we will not beg for our rights) and we should know that fear is the greatest obstacle to advancing forward.
Those divide and rule of the Nyayo days are stil what Nyamweya is advancing and we should not fall prey to it
Yes FIFA & CAF recognize FKF but swali ni,
How do we perform in FIFA & CAF tournaments?
1. We have never qualified for the World Cup,
2.We have not qualified for AFCON recently, We cannot even host any CAF tournament.
For upto the next 3 years we have nothing to lose by being snubbed by FIFA and CAF.
Our players are crying wolf. They should simply choose which between the two leagues ,KPL and FKF PL ,they want to play in.
I.e with which side is their livelihood more secure with Supersport or MP & Silva?
What has changed for the players. You belong to GMFC, AFC, Tusker or Sofapaka. All have a history (apart from maybe Tusker) of delaying payments and this/that administrative challenges which are not affected in anyway by the current standoff.
Infact the matter was resolved the moment Nyamweya formed his own league complete with 18teams, sponsor and all.
Had Supersport pulled out of KPL because of the wrangles then its a different ball game. My advise to be players is chill out coz you have nothing to show in the FIFA/CAF tournaments.
Jakoyo, said before your name betrays you. let this be fixed once and for all. let there be two leagues someone will blink first then we know where to go
Nyamweya is wild , incorrigible liar and name he cannot be trusted with nothing let alone himself
Call him Nyambweha. Yes….Kaka Mbweha, the sly, clever, dishonest and selfish fox. If he means well, then why is he hiding some cards under the table? If he means well then he should address the unfair promotion of his village team that was riddled with corruption and injustice. If he means well then why is he so rigid as to refuse to reason with his buddy Rachier and fellow men? It must be money and personal ego. Oh the clever fox!
Am no law expert but isn’t there something called FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION / EXPRESSION WHICH IS ENSHRINED IN THE CONSTITUTION. THE JUDGE IN MY VIEW SHOULD NOT HAVE STOPPED THE KPL LEAGUE BUT RATHER LET BOTH LEAGUES CONTINUE. NONE IS INFRINGING ON THE OTHER.
STOPPING THE KPL LEAGUE FOR 14 DAYS IS PLAYING INTO NYAMWEYA’S TUNE AND SIMPLY BEING A NUISANCE.
HOW IS KPL INTERFERING NYAMWEYA WHO HAS FORMED HIS OWN LEAGUE WITH HIS OWN SPONSORS AND TEAMS.
ADMIN KUDOS ON THE NEW LAYOUT THIS IS GOOD.
AND OUT OF THE ARCHIVES I’VE PULLED THIS GEM OUT, FIVE YEARS DOWN THE LINE AND JAKOM RACHIER HAS NOT MADE ANY PROGRESS THIS ISSUE.
Malo Malo posted on January 7, 2010:
B Monthly Contribution Proposal
1. 1,000 fans that can contribute Kshs.1,000 per month,
2. 2,500 fans that can contribute Kshs.500 per month
3. 5,000 fans that can contribute Kshs.200 per month.
4. 10,000 fans that can contribute Kshs.100 per month
This if implemented the club will generate annual revenues of Kshs.58,000,000 that can be used to take care of the club to greater heights.
I appeal to the club officials and fans to buy this idea.
Jakoyo with all due respect all these sponsorship deal that you always purport to have “solid evidence of” are sorry to say all one side.
1. Molo Milk never talked!
2. New KCC never talked!
3. Even this MP & Silva has never talked!
As for the players
Am no law expert but isn’t there something called FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION / EXPRESSION WHICH IS ENSHRINED IN THE CONSTITUTION. THE JUDGE IN MY VIEW SHOULD NOT HAVE STOPPED THE KPL LEAGUE BUT RATHER LET BOTH LEAGUES CONTINUE. NONE IS INFRINGING ON THE OTHER.
STOPPING THE KPL LEAGUE FOR 14 DAYS IS PLAYING INTO NYAMWEYA’S TUNE AND SIMPLY BEING A NUISANCE.
KPL GET THIS ORDER LIFTED!
HOW IS KPL INTERFERING NYAMWEYA WHO HAS FORMED HIS OWN LEAGUE WITH HIS OWN SPONSORS AND TEAMS.
ADMIN KUDOS ON THE NEW LAYOUT THIS IS GOOD.
AND OUT OF THE ARCHIVES I’VE PULLED THIS GEM OUT, FIVE YEARS DOWN THE LINE AND JAKOM RACHIER HAS NOT MADE ANY PROGRESS THIS ISSUE.
Malo Malo posted on January 7, 2010:
B Monthly Contribution Proposal
1. 1,000 fans that can contribute Kshs.1,000 per month,
2. 2,500 fans that can contribute Kshs.500 per month
3. 5,000 fans that can contribute Kshs.200 per month.
4. 10,000 fans that can contribute Kshs.100 per month
This if implemented the club will generate annual revenues of Kshs.58,000,000 that can be used to take care of the club to greater heights.
I appeal to the club officials and fans to buy this idea.
Jakoyo with all due respect all these sponsorship deal that you always purport to have “solid evidence of” are sorry to say all one side.
1. Molo Milk never talked!
2. New KCC never talked!
3. Even this MP & Silva has never talked!
As for the players
Mr. Administrator, as I take this opportunity to commend you for the new look blog site, please take particular note that your timer or electronic clock or whatever otieng’ you are using for that matter, requires adjusting. I have just posted a comment at 9.35 a.m. yet from what I see your clock has indicated that my comment was posted at 6.34 a.m. Please act on this misleading error, otherwise continue with the good work.
THEY SAY A CAT HAS NINE LIVES. SURELY LORDVICK ADUDA MUST BE A “CAT”
According to FKF PL interim CEO Lordvick Aduda, FKFPL clubs will receive the first allotment of funds from the federation on Tuesday 24 February as the new league continues.
The FKF-PL kicked off on Sunday 15 February after FKF and KPL failed to reach an agreement over the composition and running of the league leading to two parallel leagues one run by FKF and the other by KPL. Aduda has confirmed to Futaa.com that funds will be disbursed to clubs on Tuesday 24 February.
First tranche
-The first tranche of disbursement to be made to clubs by close of business on Tuesday in case of a delay – like for teams that want to separate their accounts the money should be in their accounts on Wednesday latest on Thursday, he said.
FKF was forced to ‘promote’ clubs from the National Super League to FKF-PL after KPL sides snubbed FKF-PL for KPL.
@ODUOR, I agree with you on the constitutional right. You cannot be forced to belong to an assocoiation. FIFA is not like ICC where we signed treaties. The only issue here is that we don’t play FIFA games and so what about that. It will be a temporary issue.
See below an extract from INSIDE WORL FOOTBALL
Kenyan FA goes to court to kill off the Kenyan Premier League
? Published on Monday, 23 February 2015 09:21 By Mark Baber
February 23 – Sam Nyamweya (pictured), head of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has taken his battle against the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) to a new level, reportedly obtaining an injunction from a civil court in an attempt to stop the KPL from kicking off. Nyamweya’s move has raised eyebrows, not least due to his own previously expressed stance with regard to recourse to the courts in football matters.
Last Friday the FKF, with the support of an affidavit from Nyamweya, reportedly managed to persuade Milimani High Court judge Justice Mbogholi Msagha to bar the KPL “from hosting, running, managing or in any way conducting a parallel Premier League in Kenya in the name of Kenyan Premier League or in another name for 14 days from today February 20.”
The move comes as a surprise since it comes in direct violation of FKF rules which state the “FKF, its Members… will not take any dispute to Ordinary Courts unless specifically provided for in these Statutes and FIFA regulations. Any disagreement shall be submitted to the jurisdiction of FIFA, CAF or FKF.”
The case against taking football matters to court was put strongly by Nyamweya himself last September when, in his capacity as head of the FKF he wrote to the Kenyan judiciary, saying “I wish to congratulate you, Justice Mumbi Ngogi and the judiciary for the new landmark and precedent setting ruling in the High Court last Thursday.”
“That case concerned a belated appeal involving three suspended FKF officials who wanted to stop the FKF Special General Meeting the next day on the grounds they had been wrongly suspended … for going to court earlier in violation of Article 67.1 of the FKF Constitution and Article 68 of the Fifa Statutes which both prohibit taking football disputes to ordinary courts of law.”
Nyamweya went on to congratulate the Justice in that case saying: “In her ruling regarding their request, Justice Ngugi rightly noted the failure of the appellants to submit and resolve their dispute using the judicial bodies and remedies already available in football.”
Indeed, Nyamweya went on to express the hope that that case would set a precedent, saying: “I trust her correct ruling and reasoning will now establish a legal precedent and ensure that Kenyan courts will no longer be misused in football disputes.”
Particularly given FIFA’s solid opposition to recourse to the civil courts in Nigerian football affairs, FIFA’s handling of the Kenyan dispute, where it is those controlling the federation who are taking court action, should be quite instructive as to FIFA’s commitments in this area.
This nyamweha thing is a clever fool who wants us to believe in unbelievables
That is selfish of us (Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards)…
What happens to the other clubs in KPL?
How come it was our Chairman Ambrose Rachier inciting or encouraging other clubs to join not to join FKF league and now we are at it again without thinking about the remaing clubs like Mathare United, Thika United, Tusker FC and the rest?
My suggested way forward – all the 16 teams to join FKL and then FKL to bring the 2 additional to make it 18 log league.
@Alando, you need to know the principle of divide and rule as well as how to use propaganda as a weapon. Gor as a club is very principled on what they can do and what they cannot. So Bro don’t worry we are with our 13 or 15 brothers in this war
@ Dan – I’m happy to hear that we are together with the other 13 teams..
Where is the Cabinet Secretary for Sports? Sherriffs are interfering with the lives of football players, football clubs, fans, traders and other stakeholders. Suspend these two leagues and let sanity prevail. For how long Mr. Cabinet Secretary we are going to see our football going down to the dogs. Who really cares about the welfare of our players in Kenya?
CS, it is now too much. Why can’t you act immediately to stop this impunity?
gor mahia n ingwe shd not take part in the nyamweya’s league,plzzzzz we cnt play teams like agro ,nakumatt ,western sugar, n compare it with tusker,ulinzi sofapaka n the rest.we’ve played under KPL n lets continue playing thea,nyamweya is working hard to gor n ingwe in his league .
The administrator has done a commendable job by creating this new layout. Thank you Mr. Admin. As for Nyamweya and those behind his new push for a new league, I only have one word- (POLE SANA) Gor Mahia will never play in the so called FKF PL. Ulinzi is Government sponsored and they haven’t followed Nyamweya to FKF, that is telling!! FIFA recommended a 16 team league and Nyamweya has decided to go against this directive. I am sorry Mr Nyamweya, but you have lost it. Swallow the humble pie served, withdraw the court injunction and let the KPL which is well organized run the Kenyan Premier League. We cannot develop our football through the court battles! What is Kenyan football doing in the court corridors? Shame on you Mr Nyamweya and your FKF led group. Unless we join hands together and get rid of the Nyamweyas of this world from our football, you can be sure of one thing -: Our football shall remain stagnated forever. Nyamweya and his group have insatiable appetite for corruption and anything that can cause controversy. We have been banned in the past by FIFA because of these kinds of wranglings but it seems we have not learnt anything. Where does Nyamweya think his new scheme will leave us? We will be banned once again ladies and gentlemen because of Nyamweya. How did we end up with KPL as the body mandated to run the league? CORRUPTION you will answer. KPL has managed to stem and minimize the Nyamweya fueled corruption hence our clubs have some money to run their activities throughout the year.
As Jathurgi ji has pointed out- FKF is fighting for the removal of KPL from running the league because the latter has refused Nyamweya from getting his dirty fingers into the coffers of KPL.
I urge KPL not to relent until Nyamweya is tamed.
I watched the clip on Nyamweya, his speech did not match his body language. It is very unfortunate that he would use propaganda to create an impression for a relationship that is non-existent. hiyo ni kuharibu majina za wasimamizi wa vilabu hivi viwili K’Ogalo na AFC. I think that what Mr. Nyamweya should do, take up responsible leadership and shelve their ambitions to run the league look for other avenues to tackle the matter as the league runs. Forcing his way is a bit of archaic in my opinion. Again he has been talking of sponsors whom he never mentions, Who are they, probably they are the guys who are pressurizing him. Any serious business should be put on the table. For at-least we know who is in KPL
On a lighter note, I urge you Mr. Administrator to post this for the faithful followers of Kogalo. Thank you.
Gor Mahia:
With a playing unit of 27 players, Gor Mahia has the most well balanced team in the Kenya Premier League 2015. Among the 27 payers in the defending Champions camp are 14 new recruits. Therefore, this team is both old and new. In Coach Frank Nutall, Gor Mahia has a master tactician and their coming together seems like a match made in heaven. Gor Mahia did a specification driven recruitment and this should improve the overall quality of the team. This kind of recruitment had never been done in a long time here at Gor Mahia. Coach F. Nutall realized that our number one goalkeeper, Jeremy Frederick Onyango needed competition to remain at the top of his game. He signed the ever reliable, cool and collected Boniface Oluoch who is a National team goalkeeper. He has already won over the fans by his first two performances and the fans now want the coach to install him as our new number one. The need for natural full backs cannot be over elaborated. The coach needed new natural full backs so as to implement and complete his new formation. Walusimbi is to be employed further forward so that the team can benefit from his speed and pinpoint crosses into the opponent’s box. Oluoch and Musa have reverted to their natural playing positions. He went and got the best that the regional market could offer in the man with the wicked left foot- Abouba Sibomana and the equally talented and forward thinking Nzigiyimana. These two players have undoubtedly improved our defensive and offensive units especially with their marauding runs on the flanks.
When we lost Danny Sserunkuma, Calabar and Kizito, the three players that many believe won for us the 2014 TPL title, many wrote us off as contenders for the 2015 KPL Championship. Coach F. Nutall has outwitted even the wily fox that is Sam Timbe and the self proclaimed Lion – Matano, by bringing in capable replacements in Olunga, Glay, Aucho and Wendo, just to mention a few. Glay has remained the warrior that we knew he was while acquitting himself very well with our style of play. Ernest Wendo, with the exception of the two fullbacks looks the capture of the season for me. He is not afraid to mix it with the big boys. He is comfortable on/with the ball, whether in the air or on the floor and loves to tackle just like Gatusso. His size is imposing for his age and can beat his man either with skills or brute force, (We can call him the new Paul Pogba). May be he is the one reason Gatusso is no longer at ease sitting on the bench. We still love you Gatusso and we need your experience. Our coaches will decide whom to field and in what kind of matches. This is what Wenger would call ‘a good problem’- When a team has two quality players in each position. As at now, Aucho and Wendo look to have won the fight for the two starting position in the middle over Gatusso and Eric. They are solid, efficient and capable of erasing any memories of Kizito that still lingers in our minds. The athleticism and dynamism of our midfielders is a joy to watch and their ability to recycle possession over and over is bound to leave many opponents confused and over-run.
Olunga is not Sserunkuma and he will never be, but he has his own style that will appeal to the Kogalo fan base. He is physically imposing and with very quick feet. For the last 5 years we have had pint sized strikers- easily bundled off the ball (just look at Blackberry, Rama and Danny) His heading, ball control and anticipation will become better as he piles up the games. He is not easy to disposes and his running the channels and off the ball will improve eventually. Whatever Olunga lacks now, he will learn from his coaches and fellow players. Olunga has awoken in us the spirit of one time golden boy of Kogalo – Steve “Brigadier” Odiaga. His height, runs, hold up play, shooting and physicality makes the memories of Odiaga flood back. The only difference is that he is left footed while Odiaga was right footed. Marking Olunga is going to be many defenders’ nightmare, if in doubt just ask Felly Mulumba, Willis Ouma and the CNaPS defenders. The boy will improve on the 9 TPL goals that he scored last season while playing at Thika Utd. This is the platform Michael; the road to greatness has been thrust upon you, go for it as many before you have done. For a change, our strikers (Meddie and Olunga) are going to be the ones bullying the opposing defenders in the TPL.
The return of Abondo ‘teargas’ , the signing of Ronald Omino, Innocent Wafula and the eventual capture of the rugged warhorse Meddie Kagere can only be described as inspired. The players signed have improved the general quality of our squad, in attack, defence and the midfield. Even the untested Martin Werunga looks likely to develop into a cultured defender while Innocent Wafula is going to be a handful for many full backs with his pace. Omino has the composure and the vision to thread passes to unlock many defences. The dead ball specialist that is Ali Abondo will help drag many defences out of position with his movement as he mesmerizes them with his goals. Bernard Odhiambo can hope to replicate his brother’s performances as well as inherit his former jersey, number- 15. He has the ability and discipline to succeed at Gor Mahia.
The older players who merited playing for Gor Mahia were retained at the end of last season. They remain valuable members of this very competitive Gor Mahia side. You are the reason why Gor Mahia is where it is today. But we must hasten to remind you that the hard work continues until we are back ruling the East Africa soccer space as well as making meaningful inroads in the African Football landscape. Jerry, D. Juma, Oluoch, Musa, Shakava, Emuge, Pierre, Bruno, Gatusso, Erico, Walusimbi, Blackberry and Timothy, you are all our heroes but don’t sleep on your laurels. The team that Gor Mahia is building is not for the fainthearted but for warriors. This is a team where healthy competition for positions is encouraged, a team where determination, hard work, ability, discipline, form and class will be rewarded. No position is going to be a preserve of any player, whether old or new, captain or assistant. We MUST collectively fold our sleeves, put our hands on the plough and be ever so determined not to look back until we return Gor Mahia to the apex of African Football, where we rightfully belong. Those that will qualify to wear the green and white jersey of Kogalo on match days will proudly do so; know that they have done so on merit. Jerry has a worthy challenger in B. Oluoch. I expect Kevin Oluoch, Shakava, Emuge and Bruno to challenge for defensive positions. Our utility man- Simone Pierre will always be available to stake a claim on any position available except the goalkeeper’s. As for the midfield, the gauntlet has been thrown and it is up to Gatusso, Walusimbi and Eric Ochieng to challenge the new arrivals. Timothy Otieno and Blackberry cannot avoid the tantalizing competition that is brewing between them, Olunga and Kagere. As for us the followers, let us not tire in dipping our hands into our pockets as we selflessly contribute towards building the brand that is Gor Mahia. A people united together under God the Almighty with one purpose will never fail. FORWARD!!!
Admin, kindly read publish and recommend. Thank you.
Gor Mahia:
With a playing unit of 27 players, Gor Mahia has the most well balanced team in the Kenya Premier League 2015. Among the 27 payers in the defending Champions camp are 14 new recruits. Therefore, this team is both old and new. In Coach Frank Nutall, Gor Mahia has a master tactician and their coming together seems like a match made in heaven. Gor Mahia did a specification driven recruitment and this should improve the overall quality of the team. This kind of recruitment had never been done in a long time here at Gor Mahia. Coach F. Nutall realized that our number one goalkeeper, Jeremy Frederick Onyango needed competition to remain at the top of his game. He signed the ever reliable, cool and collected Boniface Oluoch who is a National team goalkeeper. He has already won over the fans by his first two performances and the fans now want the coach to install him as our new number one. The need for natural full backs cannot be over elaborated. The coach needed new natural full backs so as to implement and complete his new formation. Walusimbi is to be employed further forward so that the team can benefit from his speed and pinpoint crosses into the opponent’s box. Oluoch and Musa have reverted to their natural playing positions. He went and got the best that the regional market could offer in the man with the wicked left foot- Abouba Sibomana and the equally talented and forward thinking Nzigiyimana. These two players have undoubtedly improved our defensive and offensive units especially with their marauding runs on the flanks.
When we lost Danny Sserunkuma, Calabar and Kizito, the three players that many believe won for us the 2014 TPL title, many wrote us off as contenders for the 2015 KPL Championship. Coach F. Nutall has outwitted even the wily fox that is Sam Timbe and the self proclaimed Lion – Matano, by bringing in capable replacements in Olunga, Glay, Aucho and Wendo, just to mention a few. Glay has remained the warrior that we knew he was while acquitting himself very well with our style of play. Ernest Wendo, with the exception of the two fullbacks looks the capture of the season for me. He is not afraid to mix it with the big boys. He is comfortable on/with the ball, whether in the air or on the floor and loves to tackle just like Gatusso. His size is imposing for his age and can beat his man either with skills or brute force, (We can call him the new Paul Pogba). May be he is the one reason Gatusso is no longer at ease sitting on the bench. We still love you Gatusso and we need your experience. Our coaches will decide whom to field and in what kind of matches. This is what Wenger would call ‘a good problem’- When a team has two quality players in each position. As at now, Aucho and Wendo look to have won the fight for the two starting position in the middle over Gatusso and Eric. They are solid, efficient and capable of erasing any memories of Kizito that still lingers in our minds. The athleticism and dynamism of our midfielders is a joy to watch and their ability to recycle possession over and over is bound to leave many opponents confused and over-run.
Olunga is not Sserunkuma and he will never be, but he has his own style that will appeal to the Kogalo fan base. He is physically imposing and with very quick feet. For the last 5 years we have had pint sized strikers- easily bundled off the ball (just look at Blackberry, Rama and Danny) His heading, ball control and anticipation will become better as he piles up the games. He is not easy to disposes and his running the channels and off the ball will improve eventually. Whatever Olunga lacks now, he will learn from his coaches and fellow players. Olunga has awoken in us the spirit of one time golden boy of Kogalo – Steve “Brigadier” Odiaga. His height, runs, hold up play, shooting and physicality makes the memories of Odiaga flood back. The only difference is that he is left footed while Odiaga was right footed. Marking Olunga is going to be many defenders’ nightmare, if in doubt just ask Felly Mulumba, Willis Ouma and the CNaPS defenders. The boy will improve on the 9 TPL goals that he scored last season while playing at Thika Utd. This is the platform Michael; the road to greatness has been thrust upon you, go for it as many before you have done. For a change, our strikers (Meddie and Olunga) are going to be the ones bullying the opposing defenders in the TPL.
The return of Abondo ‘teargas’ , the signing of Ronald Omino, Innocent Wafula and the eventual capture of the rugged warhorse Meddie Kagere can only be described as inspired. The players signed have improved the general quality of our squad, in attack, defence and the midfield. Even the untested Martin Werunga looks likely to develop into a cultured defender while Innocent Wafula is going to be a handful for many full backs with his pace. Omino has the composure and the vision to thread passes to unlock many defences. The dead ball specialist that is Ali Abondo will help drag many defences out of position with his movement as he mesmerizes them with his goals. Bernard Odhiambo can hope to replicate his brother’s performances as well as inherit his former jersey, number- 15. He has the ability and discipline to succeed at Gor Mahia.
The older players who merited playing for Gor Mahia were retained at the end of last season. They remain valuable members of this very competitive Gor Mahia side. You are the reason why Gor Mahia is where it is today. But we must hasten to remind you that the hard work continues until we are back ruling the East Africa soccer space as well as making meaningful inroads in the African Football landscape. Jerry, D. Juma, Oluoch, Musa, Shakava, Emuge, Pierre, Bruno, Gatusso, Erico, Walusimbi, Blackberry and Timothy, you are all our heroes but don’t sleep on your laurels. The team that Gor Mahia is building is not for the fainthearted but for warriors. This is a team where healthy competition for positions is encouraged, a team where determination, hard work, ability, discipline, form and class will be rewarded. No position is going to be a preserve of any player, whether old or new, captain or assistant. We MUST collectively fold our sleeves, put our hands on the plough and be ever so determined not to look back until we return Gor Mahia to the apex of African Football, where we rightfully belong. Those that will qualify to wear the green and white jersey of Kogalo on match days will proudly do so; know that they have done so on merit. Jerry has a worthy challenger in B. Oluoch. I expect Kevin Oluoch, Shakava, Emuge and Bruno to challenge for defensive positions. Our utility man- Simone Pierre will always be available to stake a claim on any position available except the goalkeeper’s. As for the midfield, the gauntlet has been thrown and it is up to Gatusso, Walusimbi and Eric Ochieng to challenge the new arrivals. Timothy Otieno and Blackberry cannot avoid the tantalizing competition that is brewing between them, Olunga and Kagere. As for us the followers, let us not tire in dipping our hands into our pockets as we selflessly contribute towards building the brand that is Gor Mahia. A people united together under God the Almighty with one purpose will never fail. FORWARD!!!
what a shame! Let Kpl league be. Even if kenya is banned by Fifa, we have nothing to
lose anyway. We have perenially underperformed.
but while in suspension, let the government
step in and bring order to the game. Nyamweya and his team are also in office illegally and should not load it over us any further