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Gor, like Brazil, is all nicknames

Kiambu
GOR MAHIA
 Gor Mahia 1976 Back Standing: TM David Ouma (dead), Joseph Otieno Buri, Peter Ouma Pele (10), Job Oyier, James Ogolla Kadir (4), Mike Ogolla "Machine", Allan Thigo (13), Maurice Ouma Ole Tunda (8), Jackson Aluko Jack Jack, Orifa Jaoko "Bor Ber", Andrew Obunga "Singh", FRONT: Peter Omiya "John Duk", Laban Otieno "Anyango Bilima", Joe Okeyo "Kapila", Festus Nyakota "Pungulu", Francis Mudany "Power", Charles Ondiek "Racham". PHOTO TAKEN: 1974 Gor Mahia team in Zanzibar for Cecafa after breaking away from Luo Union

They say nicknames stick to people, and the most ridiculous are the most adhesive.

Well, whether by choice or default, Gor Mahia’s football fans lead the pack in matters nickname that stick glue.

One can count until cows come home some of the former and current K’Ogalo greats whose pseudonyms and titles have threatened to eclipse their birth names. Here is a list of some of the players and their football nicknames.

Bobby Ogolla was nicknamed ‘The Six Million Dollar Man’ due to his amazing physical strength, which saw him fire shots that often ripped the net. The Six Million Dollar Man was a popular TV superhero of the early 1980s.

Nahashon Oluoch aka ‘Lule’ was named after then Ugandan president Yusuf Lule.

Steve Odiaga was nicknamed ‘Brigadier’ by fans. He was named after Brigadier Odongo who was accused of plotting to overthrow President Moi’s government.

Ethiopian Michael Teshome Zelleallem was nicknamed ‘Saddam’ around 1990. Fans would sing: “Saddam tupa scud pale” (Saddam throw a scud missile there), each time Teshome touched the ball.

Gideon Hamisi aka ‘Aziki’ was named after former Nigerian president Mnamdi Azikiwe.

Paul Oduwo was know as ‘Cobra’. Oduo would bite opposing strikers with his robust tackles.

Tobias Ocholla aka ‘Jua Kali’ due to his tight marking.

Austin Oduor was known as ‘Makamu’ because he was Gor’s vice captain.

George Odembo Nyangi aka ‘Artillery’ would unleash powerful shots reminiscent of a rocket launcher, and with both legs.

George Onyango was so elegant that fans named him ‘Fundi’. At the height of his powers, even former World Player of the year George Opong Weah acknowleged that he never played a better midfielder than Fundi.

Allan Thigo came to be known as ‘Ogango wuon pap’ because of his uncanny ability to control the entire football pitch.

Peter Dawo was named ‘Omuga’, which means rhinocerous in Dholuo. Dawo was aggressive in his play.

Ben Oloo aka ‘Breakdance’. He was blessed with breathtaking dribbling skills. Breakdance was the prevailing dance craze.

James Ogolla played in the 1970s, and was nicknamed ‘Kadir’. His was a humorous story. It is said that he got the nickname after shouting in dholuo “okadir” (I’ll not throw the ball) in response to Allan Thigo’s request at a training session. The mispronunciation sent everyone into fits of laughter and he was nicknamed “Kadir”.

Charles Otieno aka ‘The Engine’ was nicknamed by former Gor coach Len Julians. The man was the engine of the team, and never showed signs of fatigue on the pitch.

Abbas Khamis Magongo was nicknamed ‘Zamalek’ after he was red carded during match against Zamalek in Egypt. Gor was banned from continental football for two years.

Charles Omondi aka ‘Korea’ was a member of the Kenya Under 16 team that toured Korea in 1984.

Sammy Onyango was nicknamed ‘Jogoo’ upon joining K’Ogalo in 1979 while still a student at Equator high school. Sammy would take Jogoo Kimakia bus from Thika to the team’s training ground then at Railway training school in South B.

Maurice Ouma who played in the late 1970s was nicknamed ‘Ole Tunda’ after the Maasai herdsman who found JM Kariuki’s body after his mysterious murder in 1975.

Andrew Obunga, the centre forward who played for K’Ogalo in the early 1980s was nicknamed “Obung Singh” or simply “Singh” because his hairstyle, a big afro that looked like a sikh turban.

John Okello or simply ‘Zangi’. The prodigious midfielder was originally ‘Sengi’, named after famous Congolese musician Johny Bokelo Isenge.

William Ouma was simply ‘Chege’. As a youngster, his shots would often break Mzee Chege’s windows, who would always come looking for him.

George Odhiambo aka ‘Blackberry’. Named after the popular smartphone in 2009.

Sammy Owino or just ‘Kempes’ was named after the legendary Argentine number 10 and captain Mario Kempes who won them their first World Cup.

Jared Ochieng was known as ‘Makanaky’ He was named after the popular Camerounian whose exploits captured the minds of many at the 1990 world cup.

Isaiah Omondi aka ‘Janabi’. He was named after prophet Isaiah. Janabi means prophet in Dholuo. Fans would carry Bibles to matches where they would read a verse from the book of Isaiah before games.

George Otieno was known as ‘Chumb Reru’ because he worked for Kenya railways. ‘Chumb Reru’ means railway line in dholuo.

Maurice Ochieng was nicknamed ‘Sonyi’ by Kalolenites. Sonyi was then sheng word for policeman in the late 70s and early 80s

Sammy Omollo was Pamzo while

Zablon Otieno who played for K’Ogalo around 2002 was known as ‘Pro’.

Additional informatinon from Gor Mahia Facebook Branch.

Kindly send us nicknames of your most popular Ingwe or Harambee Stars players

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