Story by Muroro-Pacho
Milimani-Strathmore
| Rarely does a player have an impact on a club and its fans the way Abbass Khamis Magongo had on Gor Mahia and its fans in the years from 1984 and 1991. Ask any longtime Kogalo fan to pick the best all time player of the club and they will more than likely name the man fondly known as “Zamalek”. As any Kenyan fan and supporter of Harambee stars who the best midfielder ever to play for Kenya is and they will most likely say Abbass Khamis Magongo. Indeed the above two sentiments are confirmed by online polls. |
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But one thing hardly anyone knows about this legend is that he was Tanzanian. Yes indeed the greatest midfielder Kenya ever produced was Tanzanian. He grew up in Mwanza, Tanzania where he started his career playing alongside another Tanzanian legend, Ahmed Amasha. Magongo first gained fame as a youngster playing for Pamba FC of Shinyanga in the Tanzanian top flight. He came from a footballing family. Two of his brothers, Ibrahim Magongo and Shafie Magongo were also prominent in the Tanzanian league at the time. It was in a match against Pamba of Mwanza that Magongo received a red card for apparently slapping his brother Ibrahim Magongo who was playing for the opposing team. Magongo never returned to Pamba and instead chose to flee to Kenya where he joined Gor Mahia at the beginning of 1984.
| That was not the first time nor the last time Magongo was to receive a red card for reacting in haste. Behind that brilliant smile and huge afro was a fiery temper that often lashed out. But when Magongo was on his game, he was a joy to watch. He routinely toyed with opponents with a series of clever flicks, chips and deft touches. He was the Kenyan version of Zinedine Zidane. His passes were exquisite. But unlike Zidane, Magongo was often the hardest worker on the field and perhaps the fittest. He seemed to cover every blade of grass on the pitch, playing a pivotal role in attack while falling back to support the defence as needed. Indeed one remembers the KBC radio announces often remarking “Abbass Magongo anatawala uwanja mzima“. When Magongo played his first game for Kogalo in January of 1984, it was in a pre-season friendly. He immediately won the hearts of fans leaving the Kogalo faithful excited about the prospects of the forthcoming season where they figured he would partner with Charles Otieno the man described as “the Engine” by coach Len Julians. But Charlie was to be poached by Kenya Breweries. Still Kogalo never lost a beat. With John Okello “Zangi” and George Onyango “Fundi” a new signing from Bandari(then known as Cargo) , Magongo formed a brilliant midfield that was key in helping Kogalo retain the national league. |
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In April of 1984, Gor Mahia played in the first round of the Africa Champions cup against Yanga of Tanzania. Magongo was to return to his old stomping grounds and he indeed gave his fellow Tanzanians quite a few lessons as he helped steer Kogalo to a 2-1 aggregate win over the Tanzanian champions. It was during the second round encounter that he earned the nickname Zamalek. It occurred as Gor Mahia faced Egyptian champions Zamalek in the 2nd round of the champions cup in Cairo. The game was still scoreless after 40 minutes. As the Egyptians attacked, Magongo tracked back and tackled an Egyptian player outside the penalty box. But the Egyptian rolled into the penalty box and the referee awarded Zamalek a penalty much to the chagrin of Kogalo players who surrounded the referee to protest. Magongo was given a red card and Gor Mahia were suspended from continental matches. Magongo went on to play pivotal role in helping Kogalo win the league in 1984.
Magongo (#16) tracking back to help keeper Tirus Omondi and sweeper Austin Oduor
But 1985 was probably his best year. That year he scored no less than 15 goals in the national league from his midfield linkman position. Indeed Magongo had a knack to score goals with amazing efficiency. Despite his slight physique, he had a powerful shot. He had a knack for surprising opposing keepers with sudden unexpected shots from impossible angles or while out of shooting position. The most memorable match of the 1985 season was the derby against AFC Leopards on Madaraka day when Magongo silenced AFC with two goals. Then there was the friendly match against Fortuna Dusseldorf which at the time played in the German Bundesliga. Magongo scored the winner as Gor Mahia won 1-0. By now there was general consensus that he was indeed the best player in the national league, adored by fans and feared by opponents.
| In 1986 he finally earned a call up to the national team. For 2 years there had been a clamour amongst local fans for Magongo to be called up to the national team. What most did not know was that he did not have a Kenyan passport. He was a key member of the national team in the years between 86 and 1991 especially under coach Mohammed Kheri who deemed Magongo as his most valuable player. In 1987 he was key in steering Gor Mahia to victory in the 1987 Africa cup winners cup. In the final round, Gor Mahia first played Esperance of Tunisia in Tunis. Magongo scored the match opener with a brilliant sole effort in which he outwitted several Esperance defenders before beating the keeper with a well placed tap in. In the return leg in Nairobi, a well taken corner kick by Magongo was headed in by Peter Dawo. In 1988 his fiery temper was on display yet again when Harambee stars toured Brazil. National team coach Chris Makhoha and manager Joe Kadenge accused Magongo of being the ring leader in a player mutiny. In reality Magongo was never passive about fighting for players rights. Magongo was dropped from the national team that was due to play in the Africa nations cup. He was however able to showcase his skills in the 1990 Africa nations cup where he played all three games.
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Magongo was to stay at Gor Mahia until 1991 when he left to try his luck in Oman along with several other Kenyan players such as Austin Oduor, Mickey Weche, and Henry Motego. He returned to Kogalo briefly in 1994 and even featured in a rematch with Zamalek in a 1994 CAF cup match.
After retiring from active football, Magongo played for Wazee wa Kazi in the late 90s. Sadly he passed away in Malindi in 2003.
