Home of the mighty Kogalo
With skipper Jerim Onyango having finally decided to hung his gloves and his boots, its time to take a trip down memory lane to remember the best players ever to man the posts for Gor Mahia Kogalo.
Sad news yet again as another Kogallo legend. This time it is John Owiti Otieno “Hatari”. Hatari passed away in a road accident near Kericho. Not only is he a club legend, but he is one of the original players of the club, having joined at its formation in 1968. He played in central defence.
Hatari who hails from Ranjala location in Ugenya, Siaya County had been returning to Nairobi after having attended the funeral of James Sianga. Hatari was one of the key organizers for the late Sianga’s funeral arrangements.
He spoke highly of his former team-mate. During the fund raising of the late Sianga at Railway club, Hatari caused prolonged laughter when he said Sianga was now involved in active football administration in heaven. He was also one of the keynote speakers at Sianga’s funeral.
Hatari was one of the original members of Gor Mahia. Along with Sianga, he started his football career in the early 1960s with Luo Union. He would then move to Kisumu Hotstars in 1967 before joining the newly formed Gor Mahia FC in 1968, again with Sianga. He stayed at Gor Mahia until late 1974 when he left to join Luo Union.
Legendary coach and former player James Aggrey Sianga passed away on Friday September-9-2016 after a long battle with diabetes.
Sianga was a founder player of this club when it was formed in 1968. He also played for national team for an incredible 12 years and is considered one of the best goalkeepers the country has ever produced. As a coach he coached the Kenya national team on numerous occasions. he coached various clubs in the country including Tusker and Re-Union.
Gor Mahia fans will remember him most for his stint as club coach in 2007 and 2008. It was he who brought a group of young players on boatd including Eric Masika, Anthony Akumu, Duncan Owiti and George Odhiambo. These players were the backbone of the youthful teams that finished second in the league in 2010 and 2012. as well as winning the FKF cup in 2011 and 2012.
On behalf of gormahia.net aka Gor Mahia online supporters club, this author would like to thank Sianga for his good work over the years. May he rest in peace.