Martin Ouma ‘Ogwanjo’ the AFCON 1972 hero is dead

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

One of Kenya’s heroes at the 1972 Africa Cup of Nations, Martin Ouma ‘Ogwanjo’ is dead. He was 71.

Ouma, also referred to as ‘Chati’ (funny fellow in Dholuo) by his teammates played for Gor Mahia and was one of the star performers when K’Ogalo won the Kenyan Premier League unbeaten in 1976.

The former Gor Mahia wing wizard died on Saturday morning at his rural home, Hawinga in Alego, Siaya County, according to his former teammate Allan Thigo.

The passing of Ouma ‘Ogwanjo’ means only three of the 1972 heroes remain alive, the others being Joram Roy (Bata Bullets), captain John Nyawanga (Kenya Breweries) and Thigo (Gor Mahia).

“There was never a dull moment with Ogwanjo Chati around,” Thigo told Standard Sports when condoling with the family of the former winger.

“He loved football and he would do anything to make the team. I remember in 1971 when German Eckhard Krautzun took over the Kenya National team, the name Harambee Stars had not yet been coined, he assembled combined teams from each of the country’s provinces at the time.

 

“Nairobi had four teams, Gor Mahia, Abaluhya (AFC), Kenya Breweries and Nairobi Combined. Krautzun wanted to pick his team without anyone’s prodding. Competition for places was very tough.

 

“Ogwanjo Chati, a left-winger noticed our left-back Sospeter Otin was absent. He quickly filled the position. His attacking instincts later won the heart of Krautzun and was drafted as a left-back. Later, we chided him for being cunning. ‘Now you will forever play as a defender’ we told him,” Thigo remembers.

“We will miss him. May God rest his soul in eternal peace,” Thigo said.

Ouma ‘Ogwanjo’ will be laid to rest on Tuesday at his home county Siaya where another 1972 AFCON hero, goalkeeper James Siang’a, was buried on September 10, 2016.

On June 23 last year the day Harambee Stars took on Algeria at the AFCON 2019 in Egypt, Ouma ‘Ogwanjo’ spoke to Standard Sports to encourage the youngsters. He said at the time: “We wish them the best of luck. We love them and let them do it for the flag.”

He also spoke to Standard Sports in 2015 when Gor Mahia were on the verge of winning the Kenyan Premier League unbeaten.

 All K’Ogalo needed to do was avoid defeat against Muhoroni Youth, a match they won 2-0 on November 1, 2015 to win the league unbeaten with 78 points, 20 more than Ulinzi Stars.

He said before the game: "I am thrilled that Gor Mahia are on the verge of equaling our feat in my lifetime.

 The boys have done us proud up to this point. I wish that they avoid defeat today so we can talk about yet another generation of great Gor Mahia players."