Gor Mahia lifts cup after 18 years of drought

By RODGERS ESHITEMI

NAIROBI, KENYA: After 18 years of pain for Gor Mahia, the 2-0 defeat to KCB on Sunday at Kasarani could not stop them from celebrating their 13th Kenyan Premier League title.

Indeed it has been a long wait for K’Ogalo as the last time they lifted the title was in 1995 and after being crowned the 2013 KPL champions, the players took pride in their great and historic achievement.

Kasarani went into frenzy amidst wild jubilations by enthusiastic Gor fans as their inspirational captain and goalkeeper Jerim Onyango was handed the prestigious trophy by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Onyango said he was excited to be part of Gor’s great success, insisting that his side deserved to win the title.

“I am pleased and honoured as a captain to be among the history makers of this great club. The last time Gor won the trophy I was in standard three and since we’ve reclaimed the glory, we need to celebrate it with importance it deserves,’’ said an ecstatic Onyango.

“The title win was no fluke, but we deserved it because we were consistent, we showed character and managed to handle every pressure situation very well. I thank the fans and the management for their relentless support.”

Lift first league title

On loan KCB attacking midfielder Paul Kiongera was similarly happy to lift his first league title with Gor.

“It’s been an exciting season for us and to me this is moment in my career. I am very happy I can celebrate my first KPL title,’’ said Kiongera.

Crucial goals

David Owino, who has been a revelation at the club scoring crucial goals in the campaign, described winning the title as the best moment in his career.

“With no doubt, this has been the best season ever in my career and winning with title with Gor Mahia makes it better. We are looking forward to a successful outing in the Champions League,’’ said the Harambee Stars defender.

The 2012 KPL player of the year Dan Sserenkuma, recalled last season’s heartaches and said he does not regret coming back to Gor after his Europe transfer deal failed.

“It is painful when we lost the title last year, but I am now glad to be part of this historic achievement. I was to leave in June, but I don’t regret returning here. It is exciting to be a champion,” said the Uganda Cranes striker.

Kenyan international Patrick Oboya, who joined Gor in June on a short-term contract from Vietnamese top-tier side Thanh Hoa FC, took to social media to dedicate the title to his teammates, management and fans.

“This is a trophy for all of us – the management, staff, all the players, and the fans have been brilliant too. They’ve been absolutely amazing, cheering us in every single game, home and away, so credit to them,” he wrote on his Facebook account.

—rokumu@standardmedia.co.ke