The Collins Okoth saga in a historical perspective
Kogalo fans heaved a sigh of relief when Collins Okoth “Gattuso” made a return from suspension during the midweek match against Sofapaka. Despite the two week layoff, Okoth played very well holding his own against the more illustrious Sofapaka midfield with Titus Mulama and others. He has been suspended for indiscipline.
He did not attend the training sessions on time and did nothing in regardsto correcting his behavior.
According to Coach Zedekiah Otieno he was surprised of the Okoths behavior.
“Discipline is paramount for any player to be successful and we have spoken with the player several times but he refuses to listen to our advice so I had to ask him to stay home until we decide his fate” the coach was further quoted saying.
Collins Okoth vs Nairobi City stars
In past years, there were several cases of indiscipline some of which would make Gattuso’s foibles look like childs play. Flash back to April of 1982. Gor Mahia were pitted against Dynamo De Fimia of Madagascar in the first round of the Africa Champions cup. In the first leg played at the City stadium, Gor Mahia inexplicably lost 2-3. Gideon Hamisi and Andrew Obunga scored for Kogalo. All was not lost however because in those days, Kogalo’s continental away record was excellent and many fans expected them to turn the table.
Trouble started when Gor Mahia were to go into residential camp to prepare for the second leg. Club officials made the decision to house the players at Lenana high school. Kogalo players were expecting alternate accommodations. Upon arrival at Lenana, players refused to alight from the bus. A day later, players turned up for training at their regular training ground. Officials arrived at the ground, issued threats and asked the players who were willing to relocate to Lenana to step to one side. None did. The trip to Madagascar was thus cancelled as Kogalo could not raise a team. On April 17, Mike Ogolla, Andrew Obunga, Charles Ondiek and George Ayuka were singled out as ring leaders and suspended for 3 years. Nahashon Oluoch were suspended for 1 year. Co captains, George Otieno “Solo” and Sammy Owino were reprimanded and relieved of their captaincy duties. 13 other players were issued warning letters. Fans congregated at Gill house which in those days was the pseudo-headquarters of Gor Mahia. The fans cheered Chairman Zack Mbori for the action. The players considered responsible were heckled by fans at various Nairobi pubs. CAF imposed a hefty fine on Gor Mahia.
Flash forward to 1983 and this time Kogalo were in the Cup winners cup, first round match against Vital O of Bururundi. Gor Mahia had won the first leg played away in Bujumbura winning 2-1 with goals from Abdallah Shebe and a scorching freekick from Bobby Ogolla. Gor Mahia were expected to easily win the return leg in Nairobi. Instead they inexplicably went down 0-3. Fans had never seen Kgolao play such a lackadaisical game. Irate fans demanded the resignation of Chairman Zack Mbori. Fans were pictured by Nation newspapers carrying former chairman Peter Opar shoulder high and demanding his return. Cartoons subversive against Zack Mbori appeared in local dailies. Opar later explained that he had no intention of returning and that he had been abducted by a section of fans.
When the dust settled, club officials claimed that four players who had been suspended in 1982 had infiltrated the camp and instigated a rebellion. As a result, Mike Ogolla “Machine” , Andrew Obunga, Charles Ondiek and George Ayuka were expelled from the club. Nahashon Oluoch “Lule” and George Yoga were given a reprive. However Lule had already gone to the USA on a football scholarship. George Yoga had disappeared from the football scene never to be heard from again. Former Chairman David Opar was also implicated, a charge which he vehemently denied. The expelled players accused Mbori of being divisive, flouting club rules and of demanding personal loyalty from players.
“Bad Boy” Andrew Obunga receiving the trophy from Minister Jeremiah Nyaga
Flash forward to 1986. Gor Mahia faced arch rivals AFC Leopards at the City stadium. At half-time, Gor Mahia led 2-0 thanks to a double by Sammy Onyango. Fans were dancing and singing. In the second half however, Gor Mahia inexplicabley conceded 3 goals and lost. After the match, it emerged that some Kogalo players had been bribed by AFC Leopards chairman, Alfred Sambu. Tirus Omondi and John Okello “Zangi” were given lengthy suspensions. Bobby Ogolla and Abbas Magongo were given shorter suspensions.
John Okello “Zangi” was to be expelled from the club in 1988 by then chairman Douglas Odolla. Zangi was an outspoken player who often spoke his mind. In this case he was said to be complaining that certain players were getting higher allowances which were unwarranted. Zangi later joined arch rivals AFC Leopards and at one point had to run for dear life when confronted by Gor Mahia fans at City stadium.
In 1991, the talented Felix Otieno fell out with coach Len Julians. He left the club in a huff and said that Gor Mahia coach Len Julians who at the time was famous for grooming players, had contributed nothing to his development. Felix was an exceptionally talented player. Far more talented than his well known brother “Bernard Otieno “Zico” of Kenya Breweries. But his indiscipline hindered his career.
Felix Otieno in action against his brother Bernard Otieno “Zico”
Another talented player from that era was Mike Otieno. He had joined the club as an eager 18 year old in 1988. Otieno was quick and strong and often accelerated past befuddled defenders unable to match his quickness off the block. His crosses were exquisite and often led to goals. Mike was so good that he would have ended up in Europe. But his penchant for missing training hindered his career and often led to injuries. He would often disappear from the club for months, only to return out of shape. So when he was appointed Kogalo coach a few years back, yours truly had to laugh.
Heres hoping that Gattuso has learned his lesson and his discipline problems will not rise to the levels seen in past years.
Story by Willy Chopa
Milimani-Strathmore
in other-words what are u trying to tell us?
this story is not reflecting on what is pressing the fans right now. We need to talk about off form players and their possible replacements and how the season is turning out to be and it’s effects on GM!
What is all these about? Give us a break Collo is back.
We at K’galo r going round n round in circles. The present team as whole and the technical bench (am tied of naming the biggest culprit) are way below par for a team of GM’s calibre. Only the fans have maintained the standards.Most of the players you mentioned had some disciplinary problems but my oh my they were match winners and played Barca like soccer.Just look at our goal difference and it will tell a lot about the team.
Interesting and informative article. I have always wondered what happened during the Dynamo de Fimia fiasco. These a are good lessons we can apply today.
Good trip down memory lane. People with this memories should share. This is part of our illustrious history.
Collo is back yes but he must be reminded that talent without discipline is to say the least useless! Look at Anelka a once best striker missed several world cup places and now playing as 2nd striker.. these things must be told to the likes of collo and kevo.. As for zico its said that even omena at times advices tilapia.
WUON PAP posted on June 2, 2011:
IT IS ABOUT TIME WE AT GOR MAHIA INVESTED IN A FOOTBALL ACADEMY TO CEMENT OUR PLACE AS THE TOP CLUB IN AFRICA.BARCA THAT ALL OF US ARE PRAISING NOW WERE WISE TO DO THAT 20 YEARS AGO.THE FRUITS OF THE INVESTMENT ARE NOW BEING ADMIRED THE WORLD OVER.IN AFRICA, ASEC MIMOSA OF IVORY COAST HAS THE BEST SOCCER ACADEMY IN THE CONTINENT.ITS GRADUATES INCLUDE THE TOURE BROTHERS ,ZOKORA,AND 3/4 OF THE IVORIAN NATIONAL TEAM.ASEC IS ALSO A CONSISTENT TOP PERFOMER IN THE CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE.THIS FORM HAS BEEN PASSED ON TO THE NATIONAL TEAM WHICH HAS QUALIFIED FOR THE PAST 2 WORLD CUPS.AN ACADEMY WILL BE A CONEYOR BELT FOR THE TALENTED YOUTH IN THE COUNTRY WHO WIIL LIFT OUR CLUB IN THE LEAGUE AND EARN US A TIDY SUM WHEN THEY ARE BOUGHT BY OVERSEAS CLUB.SIANGA ,IF HIS HEALTH ALLOWS HIM IS VERY GOOD AT IDENTIFYING PROMISING PLAYERS.WE CAN HAVE HIM SCOUTING FOR TALENT AND MOULDING PLAYERS IN THE JUNIOR RANKS TO BE PASSED ON TO THE SENIOR SIDE.KOGALLO WILL THEN BE ENIGMA IT WAS IN THE 80`S.
Well spoken. In short you reap what you sow. The coach must offload liabilities and loan off some of the playing unit lets not kid ourselves other teams are recruiting and beefing up while we slumber. Please relook at our wings and midfield thats our weak link but not the striking force which to me is adequate.
For gor to start performing ZICO must stop being arrogant,petty, and childish.discipline is important for each player, but a good coach should look for the bestway to solve an issue.Young players at times lose their heads when they rise to fame, and its not new to us.Even Messi before the champions league stormed out of the stadium, and even boycoted la liga celebration after being benched for 90min in their game against real sociedad,but Pep didnt suspend him,he only made him understand why he did that,had messi been suspended barca would not hav won uefa final easily.What about Rooney,xtiano,oliech,mariga etc hv been victims.So ZICO handle gor players maturely, for them to stop rusting at this high rate.(odera,kitawi,kevo,AKUMU,Musa,macheda)zico stop jokes utaishia if ur not careful.
Ibrahim Kitawi’s Goodbye message on facebook “i take ths opportunity to thank the entire Gor fraternity 4 everything as i knw without u guys i wouldnt b where i am today,because of this great club i had the opportunity to play 4 da national team nd got the opportunity to showcase ma talent where ma name was exposed nd appreciated nd as we part ways i knw tht u”l f…orever b in ma heart as u have the best passionate fans i have ever seen nd wish u al da very best in ur quest of winning da league again i say thank you nd GOD bess”
Best Wishes lad that all I can say.He didn’t say where he was heading though!
That’s another talent whose potential we were unable to develop but let go to waste on the bench!! I hope he rediscovers his form and shames those that almost made him lose his bread-winning capability. Best wishes Ibra. I have the confidence that once we sort those issues that made u leave you will be back BIGGER and BETTER.
Truly guys Ibra will be bigger and better elsewhere tis good he developes away than be trashed in our house! But i’m happy to be one of those who pleaded for attention to these kind..next will be the other two k’s to the army side..still good for them employment wise.
@Johnny ja koks, wacha vitisho bwana. Discipline is paramount, no matter how good the player is. Those asking what this article is all about, siwaelewi. Its about players and discipline. Leopards are now offloading 9 of thier regular players because of indiscipline. All along they have been sacrificing coaches, thinking that its them that are a problem. Now they have Nick Yakama and they have lost 3 of thier last fixtures. Gor fans are baying for Zico’s blood, but I can assure you the problem is not the coach but some players like Gattuso. In fact if it were possible, let him be offloaded during the mid season transfer window. For God and my Club
It is now common knowledge that Zico goes over the top especially after a dose of napoleon and whatever it is he smokes. The players too can and do at times get big-headed especially if they believe they have attained super-stardom. Add to this the fact that most coaches and players have issues with low IQ (always focussing on the short-term individual gains instead of looking at the long-term gains of the club) and you are sure to get trouble as is currently happeing at my beloved Kogalo. What we need is a mechanism to align these forces so that their focus on only one thing: Bringing Glory to Kogalo. As long as this mechanism is absent, then the team will continue sliding into an abyss.
Albert kosero i think ur not serious, even if you love ZICO u have to admit and correct what is wrong hala! wee.those ingwe boys were sent away strictly on merit.Do you know that both Selenge&Imbem earned 78 000 each monthly, while selenge has not scored a single goal this season,imbem to has been playing very poorly this season contrary to Gattuso a perfomer eeish.I think we should buy Antony kimani(s.paka) or Fredrick onyango(sony)to bring creativity which is lacking completely in kogalos midfield, what about the young and talented Paul Were to spice our attack?
Official tusker sign Ebrahim Kitawi, according to kenyafootie.com.Good bye EBRA Wyclife Opondo will fill your boots.Seriously Odera,Tony, start going to the gym with immediate effect, and drink tuzo ur too weak.Wise and AKUMU ur jokers this season,Makori relax wacha tension,Kevo ur a match winner jst go back to the drawing board, Gattuso discipline, Ochola retire,MOSES,LAVATSA,&VIDIC AND MAFANS keep it up, long leave kogalo.
@kosero, i think the issue with Gattuso indiscipline had been thoroughly discussed in this forum and there is no need to bring it now that he is back to the team. C’mon we have alot of stuff to sort out………..like not scoring goals, the bus in not yet here what is going to happen with IDAC, beefing up the squad we dont have time to talk about this, how do u think the player will feel that u are still talking about this even when all has been aired out? whoever is responsible for posting the articles need to read the mood of the fans unless they are aliens or not aware of what we need to talk about!
I hear that Bob Mugalia is very interested in Gor ….. maybe get him and Demonde Selenga at the same time ??
@jakojera 9, I was commenting on this article, which touches on discipline. I am aware that we have discussed Gatusso issue on this forum repeatedly. Why would u want us to discuss the bus issue yet the article is clearly about the discipline. I thought the articles on this web site is what normally forms the basis of our comments.
Discipline. . . . .guys, this forum is for discussion, and wharever someone says is not an end to itself,so we should tolerate views, however diverse they are, . . ..be happy we have a club that we all passionately support
Albert u are azedy fan coz whenever any fan ask quizz about zedy ur always the first to dffd why cant u just learn the fans easy .now tell us who replace kitawi that easy we r asking mugalia and praying fr him to kam how sure r u would that ur zedy play him? tell us sasa kosero now afc r just trainnig fr Gor
Foot ball is about displine and improvement collins should learn on how to respect coach gor is a big movement so let him repect our opinion and our concerns if not then he can quit the club and go back to baba dogo and play MYSA WE ARE TIRED of discusing individuals we should be discussing big issues that can take this club to another level
Look people like beckham farguson use to abuse him and he still remain to be coreected,Collins or Gatuso give us break,
kogallo has astrong fan base we need to invest in very talented players who will be paid handsomely and the fans should stop misbehaving.gi ketho nying joluo.
There is evidently a lot to know about this. I feel you made certain good points in features also.