Year in Review: Gor Mahia, the 20-time beast and the off field troubles

The fans will reflect on a year that was grueling but rewarding in one aspect as the local giants hoisted their 20th league title, a record-extending feat, after the team engineered a remarkable turnaround to put brakes on Tusker’s two-season charge.

They lifted the title and corked the champagne for the jaw-dropping season. But alas, clouds of gloomy period were quickly gathering as the new champions embarked on preparations for the continental scene return.

The curse of the foreign players threw a spanner in the works for Gor Mahia who went on to miss out on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League despite ending the season as league champions.

After two years of reinvigorating and having started the 2022-23 season on flyer and fast-forward to 25 June, the giants finally extended their Kenya Premier League winning record as they lifted a 20th title at the Kasarani Stadium.

They came from behind to beat Nairobi City Stars 4-1 in front of a jubilant crowd to finish top of the league standings on 70 points, just one above the Brewers, and to a first league title since 2020.

It was a day filled with anxiety as Gor needed nothing other than a win to seal the title as second-place Tusker were hot on their heels.

It all seemed to be going all wrong when City Stars forward Samuel Kapen scored to open the scoring three minutes after the break but Benson Omala restored parity with his 26th goal of the season three minutes later.

Peter Lwasa then sent the stadium into frenzy with a beautiful goal in the 62nd minute before Austine Odhiambo scored a marvelous free-kick to put the game to bed.

Alpha Onyango then put the icing on the cake with a fourth goal to seal the title and cap off a remarkable season for the Green Army.

“This is a huge day for the club and the thousands of fans because we have done it, we kept our cool and focus to win the title.

“It has been a tough season but we have managed to beat the odds and maintain our consistency. Today is your day, all of you and we can finally celebrate,” head coach Jonathan McKinstry said then.

CAF ban

Gor Mahia’s jubilation was however cut short after CAF came down hard on the club by revoking their club licensing certificate after failing to honour payment agreements with former foreign players from Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Mali.

The players were Burundian attacker Jules Ulimwengu, Congolese striker Yangayay Sando Sando, and Malian goalkeeper Adama Keita. The trio were owed millions in salary arrears and fines from the termination of contracts.

Prior, FKF had served the champions with a notice of revocation of the Club Licensing Certificate but failed to beat the given deadline set by CAF to pay the trio thus were officially locked out.

“We regret to inform you that the FKF Club Licensing First Instance Body (FIB) on the advice of CAF has revoked Gor Mahia’s Club Licensing Certificate for being in breach of Article 60 of the Caf Men’s Club Licensing Regulation.

“The painful decision has been arrived at by the FIB after former Gor Mahia players reached out to CAF due to breach of payment agreements and overdue payables,” said a letter signed by FKF CEO Barry Otieno.

It was Gor Mahia’s third ban in two years and were barred from recruiting new players after Ugandan Shafik Batambuze, Dickson Ambundo from Tanzania, and coach Steven Polack petitioned the club to FIFA over their pending salaries in 2021.

Return of hooliganism demons

Having put the CAF Champions League ban behind them, the reigning league champions then launched their title defence with a brilliant unbeaten run since August but old demons of fan hooliganism visited the club again in November.

Sports Kenya slapped the club with a Sh1.9 million bill for the damaged property at the Kasarani Stadium following vandalism that had occurred when the record champions played league debutants Murang’a Seal to a barren draw in the FKF-Premier League fixture at the facility.

The body in charge of the government-owned stadiums also banned the reigning FKF-Premier League champions from using the facility until they settle the fine.

Few days later, FKF’s League and Competition committee fined the club Sh500,000 for crowd trouble and were also ordered to play the next five home games without fans.

However, the club obtained stay orders from the Sports Dispute Tribunal.

To the club's relief, the court suspended the sanctions pending mention of the matter set for December 13, 2023 - a decision that allows fans to attend all Gor Mahia matches until the case is determined.

"The 1st and 2nd respondents are hereby restrained from imposing the sanctions contained in the 2nd Respondents letter dated 16th November, 2023 pending the hearing and determination of the application," stated part of the order issued by Sports Dispute Tribunal.

With the temporary relief, Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier called on fans to calm during matches even if they don't agree with decisions made by match referees.

"With the orders, we expect to appear in court on December 13, 2023 for a mention and in the meantime, the sanctions remain suspended and that means, fans can attend our matches until the matter matter is determined,"

"Acts of violence or hooliganism are not the intention of the club... we appeal to all our fans while attending matches to exercise restraint even if they do not accept the decision of the referees or match officials," chairman Rachier told Citizen Digital on December 7.

Despite the off field troubles, Gor Mahia remain unbeaten in the first half of the season and head to Christmas with five points clear on top of the table following Friday’s 1-0 triumph against Bandari at Kenyatta Stadium, and team manager Victor Nyaoro says they team has put their house in order ahead of 2024.

‘’We are after winning our 21st title, beaten or unbeaten. We are under no pressure to finish unbeaten,’’ asserted Nyaoro.