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Michael Olunga and Ali Abondo made it a perfect ending to Gor Mahia’s unbeaten 2015 Kenyan Premier League season with terrific second half goals against a resilient Muhoroni Youth in the final match of the season at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday.
For winning the title three times in a row, K’Ogalo have kept the KPL title for good.
Their achievement is one that every other team in the country envies and after their 2-0 win over Muhoroni to finish the season with 78 points, the players revelled in their historic achievement taking photos with the silverware before doing a lap of honour and held an after-party thereafter.
“Even in difficult times, these players were very magnificent. We never thought we would win the title unbeaten. But with these type of players your work becomes easier and you can win anything. Right now it is time to enjoy, we will talk about other trophies later,” Gor Mahia coach Frank Nuttall told Feverpitch.
“I thank Gor for winning nine league medals, but it is sweeter for having done that as Gor player and coach. It is a historic moment for us,” added a delighted Gor assistant coach Bobby Ogolla.
Although Olunga, who has been phenomenal for Gor this campaign, missed out on the golden boot after scoring three goals (19) less than winner Jesse Were (22), said he was happy to replicate the feat of the 1976 golden generation.
“Despite missing out on the golden boot, I am proud of what we have achieved this season. Repeating the 1976 record and winning the title for the third time in a row with all those financial problems is a great feat,” said Olunga.
His former Tusker teammate Boniface Oluoch also couldn’t hide his joy saying that he made the right decision to join Gor.
“I don’t regret leaving Tusker for Gor Mahia. 2015 will forever remain one of my best moments of footballing career. If I win the golden gloves, it will be a plus,” said Oluoch.
Olunga could have put the 15 time Kenyan champions ahead in the fourth minute after dispossessing Wellington Ochieng in the box, but the defender recovered quickly to clear the danger.
Muhoroni’s George Mandela saw his shot in the 26th minute go over the bar before Harun Shakava’s double header went wide.
Just after restart, Muhoroni goalkeeper Daniel Kiptoo was forced to come off his line and punch away Karim Nzigiyimana’s dangerous cross from the right before Abondo fluffed his shot in the box.
In the 53rd minute, Olunga delivered a fine pass after racing down the right and shrugging off two challenges, but good defending from the visitors denied K’Ogalo the opener.
After a series of raids, Gor efforts finally paid off on the hour mark after Abondo’s expertly curved free kick flew past a hapless Muhoroni custodian.
A few minutes later, Muhoroni keeper pulled off a fine save from Khalid Aucho’s effort. In the 73rd minute, Muhoroni could have pulled a goal back, but Wycliffe Nyangech’s free-kick rattled the cross bar. With six minutes to stoppage time, Olunga unleashed a powerful shot to take his season tally to 19 goals just before burly Enoch Agwanda was denied by the post. [email protected]
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