Friday 13 November 2015

Hail K’Ogalo, the Kings of Kenyan Soccer!



After being crowned winners of the Kenya Premier League (KPL) Top-Eight, 2015 Edition, Gor Mahia, under the tutelage of Briton, Frank Nuttal has the enviable chance of making it a treble, courtesy of the GOTV Shield Cup. 

The Green Army just written its name into the folklore of Kenyan soccer in the most auspicious of ways. They have won the SportPesa Premier League three times in a row, and this season’s feat is even sweeter as they did it unbeaten in 36 games! Now, that’s the stuff of legends and even their nemesis in the Ingw’e camp must applaud them! Led by long-serving skipper, Jerim Onyango and defensive stalwart, Musa MohammedK’Ogalo vanquished all opposition in the local scene and nearly conquered the Eastern and Central region, losing to Tanzanian powerhouse, Azam Fc in the CECAFA Club 2015 final. Simply, Gor Mahia is in another level and only competing on the regional and continental scene makes sense now.

Just as the legendary Luo warrior, Luanda Magere, who pounded his enemies into total submission, K’Ogalo has conquered Kenyan soccer and its sheer dominance since 2013, catapults them into annals of Kenyan football.Gor Mahia under the tutelage of Nuttal and club legend, Bobby Ogolla, have defended the KPL title for the third consecutive season running and done so convincingly. They have enjoyed an unbeaten season in 36 matches, scored the most goals, won the Top-Eight tournament and are in the semi-finals of the 2015 GOTV Shield Cup. 

Gor Mahia exhibited mouth-watering skills and flair in the conquest of the local football scene. In Karim Nizigiyamana and AboubaSibomana, they have arguably the best fullbacks, complete with attacking prowess that epitomize the modern full-back. The two chipped into the K’Ogalo cause with numerous assists. In Khalid Aucho, they have one of the best holding midfielders in the league. Needless to say, Michael Olunga, their dreaded striker is the nightmare to many defenders and came second to Tusker’s Jesse Were in the scoring charts, with 22 goals. Add RwadeseMeddieKagere, Innocent Wafula, the versatile Innocent Wafula, a resurgent John ‘Blackberry” Odhiambo, Ali Abondo and you have a deadly attacking combination that nearly conquered Eastern and Central region. Olunga has too established himself as Harambee Stars number-one striker in a single season! In the backline, the central pairing of Harun Shakava and Musa Mohammed has stood tall and even earned their first call-ups to the national team. Tusker reject, Boniface Oluoch has proved to be the safest pair of hands between the sticks, this season and club captain, Jerim Onyango is a more than capable replacement. Simply put, the Gor Mahia juggernaut has seamlessly floored all opponents with enviable ease, composure and an attractive brand of soccer.

As they scripted their names into the Kenyan soccer folklore, the never-say-die Green Army fans and their players, did so without the comfort of a stable shirt sponsor! Now this got even better. As their nemesis in the Ingw’e camp, huffed and puffed, fought and cheated football death countless times due to the withdrawal of Mumias Sugar, Gor Mahia exhibited admirable organization and with the able support of the loyal fans, successfully finished the season in total dominance of Kenyan football. Now, the warring camps in the Ingw’e den should learn from the Green Army! Lack of shirt sponsors is not a recipe for chaos and utterly dismal performance! At least Gor Mahia proved this! 

The near impeccable class of 1976 led by the dreaded playmaker, Allan Thigo and talismanic striker, Michael “Sonyi” Ochieng, won the championship unbeaten. It is well to say that 29 years later, the feat has been replicated, led by lethal goal poacher cum student at The Technical University of Kenya (TUK), Michael Olunga.

As their prepare for the last shot at a glorious treble, in the semi-finals of the GOTV Shield Cup, K’Ogalo are worthy champions, they destroyed all opponents in the local scene! They can walk in the streets of Nairobi, shoulders held high. Their colossal support in the lakeside can cast nets into the lake, knowing all too well that just as Luanda Magere vanquished his enemies, and so has Frank Nuttal and his charges, on the football pitch.

Gor Mahia has earned the rights to compete with the Big Boys of African soccer on the continental scene! They are past the likes of Tusker and AFC Leopards! They should now slug it out with the likes of USM Algiers, Esperance, Amakhosi and Buccaneers from South Africa, El Merreikh in Sudan and reigning CAF Champions League winners, Tout Pouissant (TP) Mazembe from Congo DR!

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