19-time Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions Gor Mahia was a force to reckon with in the 1980s and 1990s.
The team did not only beat African giants, but remains the only Kenyan outfit to have ever brought home a continental title, the then Mandela Cup, after cruising over Tunisian giants Esperance Sportive de Tunis in a two-legged final in 1987.
This year, the team embarked on a recruitment drive of players after the club's ban by world football governing body Fifa ended a few months ago.
It is on this note that Information, Communication and Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo has been firmly convinced that Gor Mania now has the potential to replicate the memories of yore that made them a permanent fixture in the African football map.
"The current players are capable, they are playing a thrilling game. Their tactics can halt other opponents across Africa," said Owalo who watched an exciting KPL fixture pitting Gor and the Kenya Police at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi on Sunday.
Gor won the contest 1-0 courtesy of an Austine Odhiambo's 56th minute goal to open a two-point lead at the top, against second placed Tusker who are on 54 points. Gor take on Talanta today at the same venue.
Owalo hosted the team for breakfast in a Nairobi hotel ahead of the clash where he motivated the playing unit by offsetting all their outstanding winning bonuses.
He gave the players winning allowances for the last five games totalling Sh725,000. He further gave out Sh75,000 to sort out the club's security team. In addition he pledged to buy the club a bus.
He promised to help the club get a second sponsor should they win a 20th league title.
Currently, K'Ogalo is supported by gaming firm SportPesa but the sponsorship is not enough, according the club chairman Ambrose Rachier who also urged the CS to take up their title deed issue with the Ministry of Lands as the club is eager to put up a multipurpose stadium in the near future.
While thanking the CS for the kind gesture, Gor Mahia captain Philemon Otieno gave Owalo an assurance that the league is now theirs to lose due to the fact they are sitting at the top of the standings.
"I want to thank the CS for always standing with the team through thick and thin, we want to assure him that we will not let him down. There is no time to relax, we are now on full gas and headed for the title," Otieno said.
