Gor Mahia popularly known as K’Ogalo (name originated from a Luo term ‘Od Ogalo’, meaning house of Ogalo) is arguably the most successful club in Kenya. The Green Army, as they also call themselves, have bagged several trophies- both local and international to keep their cabinet glittering.
Establishment
Gor Mahia FC was officially formed on 17 February 1968 after a merger of Luo Union and Luo Sports Club. The club acquired its name from a medicine man, who was nicknamed Gor Mahia. Gor- grandson of Ogalo and Mahia- a Luo term meaning Magic.
Main Achievements
Surprisingly, Gor won the league title in their introductory season in 1968 with their legendary striker William Ouma “Chege” scoring 19 goals.
They won the league title for the second time in 1974 and in 1976, became the first Kenyan football club to win the National League unbeaten with the help of the exploits of playmaker Allan Thigo who also acted as coach.
K’Ogalo finished as the runners-up to Canon Yaounde of Cameroun after losing in both the first leg 0-2 and second leg 0-6 in the African Cup Winners’ Cup in 1979.
In 1987, Gor became the first Kenyan club to win the African Cup Winners’ Cup after beating Espérance Sportive de Tunis in two-legged final matches.
Generally, they have won the Kenya Premier League title 18 times, 5 times more than their age-long rivals AFC Leopards and also won the FKF President’s Cup 10 times.
Notably, this is the only club in Kenya to pull a three-peat thrice; 1983, 1984 and 1985, 2013, 2014 and 2015, and 2017, 2018 and 2019.
They also won the first edition of the Sportpesa Super Cup in 2017 after beating AFC Leopards 3-0, earning them a match against Everton. They defended the title in 2018 after thrashing Simba SC 2-0.
Legends/Key Players in history
Of course, there are key players who played a vital role in the success of the Green Army. William Ouma “Chege” will never be forgotten in history when he scored 19 goals to help the club lift the League title in their inaugural season campaign.
In 1976, the Green Army became the first club to win the National League unbeaten, thanks to the help of Allan Thigo, who also acted as coach. Thigo was assisted by Festus Nyakota, James Ogolla, Jerry Imbo, goalkeepers Maurice Ochieng and Geroge Ayuka. Ochieng finished the season as a top scorer with 18 goals.
Other legends include; Masanta Osoro, Paul ‘Cobra’ Oduwa, Festus Nyakota, Duncan Aluko, Duncan Migan, Victor Onyango, Josiah, Tillen Oguta, Frazier Ochieng, Dan Ogada, Bonaventure Maruti, Steve Okumu, Steve Odiaga, Bob Ogola, Tobias Ochola Juakali, Zedekiah Otieno among others.
Main Challenges
Despite their huge success, K’Ogalo have had challenges that have led to downslope, especially in international glory. It is down in history that the club had its worst moment in 1990 when they were eliminated in the 1st round of the Africa champions league by Zimbabwean outfit, Dynamos, a thing that led to one of the worst riots in Nairobi.
Worse of all, they finished 8th in the League, which was unprecedented in the club’s history. The last 2 years of the 20th century were characterized by inconsistent performances by the club mainly due to lack of finances.
Because the club was flat broke it was unable to hire a qualified professional coach. Additionally, the club has been unable to retain its quality players, most enjoying short stints before leaving for greener pastures.
They eventually secured their first-ever legitimate shirt sponsorship in 2011, this was such a landmark! They have made a regular appearance in continental competitions since 2009 without going past the quarter-finals.
They have made 5 appearances in the CAF Confederation Cup;
2009 – Preliminary Round
2012 – Preliminary Round
2013 – First Round
2018 – Group Stage
2018-19 – Quarter Finals
They have also made 13 appearances in CAF Champions League / African Cup of Champions Clubs.
The Kenyan giants were bundled out in the quarter-final stage on this year’s CECAFA Kagame Cup after losing 2-1 to Zambia’s Green Eagles.
Current status
Gor will participate in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup after winning the KPL title in the 2018-19 season.
As the 2019-20 season nears to start, K’Ogalo have signed several players including David Kassu, Dickson Ambundo, Robert Mapigano, Derrick Otanga, Maurice Ojwang, Dennis Oalo, Tobias Otieno, Elvis Ronack, Curtis Wekesa among others.
The 18-time champions also promoted three players to their senior team; Alphonce Omija, Caleb Omondi and Samuel Osoo. However, the club has also lost its key players this transfer; Harun Shakava, Francis Kahata, and Jacques Tuyisenge.
The Nairobi-based club is under the leadership of High Court Lawyer Ambrose Rachier, who has been in charge since 2008. Rachier, however, stated that he will quit in December, meaning the club will hold an election by the end of the year to pick another chairman.