Kenya Insights

Tag: Gor Mahia fc

  • Violence Mars Gor Mahia vs Shabana FC Match at Gusii Stadium

    Violence Mars Gor Mahia vs Shabana FC Match at Gusii Stadium

    What began as a highly anticipated Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League clash between Shabana FC and Gor Mahia quickly descended into chaos Sunday afternoon as fans from both sides engaged in violent confrontations at Gusii Stadium in Kisii County.

    Several spectators, predominantly women, sustained injuries requiring hospitalization after stone-throwing clashes erupted over seating arrangements at the packed venue. The incident has once again highlighted persistent hooliganism issues plaguing Kenyan football.

    Tension Builds Over Stadium Allocation

    The violence reportedly broke out when Gor Mahia supporters, allocated only three sections of the stadium’s terraces compared to Shabana’s ten, attempted to force their way into additional areas after their designated spaces filled to capacity by 11:00 AM.

    “The three stands were not enough to accommodate the Gor Mahia fans who quickly filled the stands early in the morning,” a witness reported. “On seeing that Shabana fans had been allocated more space, Gor Mahia fans started forcing their way onto the other stands.”

    What followed was a chaotic scene as supporters hurled stones at each other across the terraces, transforming the previously festive atmosphere into running battles that security personnel struggled to contain.

    Stadium at Maximum Capacity

    The 12,000-capacity Gusii Stadium had reached its limit by 11:30 AM, with more supporters still queuing outside hoping to gain entry for the 2:00 PM kickoff.

    The stadium’s suitability for hosting such a high-profile match had been questioned in advance, with Gor Mahia reportedly requesting an alternative venue that could accommodate their large following.

    “Fans from both teams have been engaging each other in online banter on who will have the last laugh. I suspect that could have also flared up the tempers coming into this match,” said Bernard “Pepe” Ochieng, a former Shabana player.

    Stadium announcers made repeated calls for calm as the violence escalated, urgently requesting ambulances to transport injured fans to nearby hospitals.

    Despite their efforts, the pleas largely fell on deaf ears as the stone-throwing continued.

    “Our fans, let’s settle down and remain calm. The situation is being handled,” an announcer was heard saying over the stadium’s public address system.

    The match eventually kicked off after a 42-minute delay once security personnel managed to restore relative order.

    Championship Implications

    The fixture carried significant weight in the league standings, with Gor Mahia sitting third with 50 points while Shabana occupies fourth position with 46 points. Shabana entered the match on strong form, riding an eight-game unbeaten streak that has turned Gusii Stadium into what local fans call “a fortress” since coach Peter Okidi took charge in January.

    For the first time in its history, Gusii Stadium featured pitch-side LED screens for advertising and other endorsements, adding to the high-profile nature of the event.

    This incident marks another unfortunate chapter in Kenyan football’s ongoing struggle with fan violence, raising serious questions about security protocols and venue selection for matches between teams with large, passionate followings.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

  • Gor Mahia Unveils New Coach

    Gor Mahia Unveils New Coach

    Gor Mahia FC has unveiled coach Sinisa Mihic as the club’s new coach.

    The club has confirmed the appointment of the 48-year-old Croatian this Monday, February 3, 2025, in an event in Nairobi.

     Mihic takes over Gor Mahia who are third on the log and will be tasked with turning the club’s fortunes around following an inconsistent run under the interim tenure of Zedekiah ZicoOdhiambo and Michael Nam.

    The two retain their respective roles at the club as the first and second assistant coaches as per the club update.

    K’Ogalo is six points behind coming off a campaign that earned them their 21st KPL title.

    On November 13, 2025 K’Ogalo took the decision to part ways with Brazilian coach Martins Neiva, who had taken over the reins for the 2024-25 season. Despite arriving at Gor with much fanfare and promise, Neiva only lasted for six league games where Gor secured two wins, two draws, and as many defeats. He also oversaw the team’s early exit in the second round of the CAF Champions League at the hands of Al Ahly.

    A 2-1 defeat to Nairobi City Stars on October, 28 proved to be Neiva’s last straw.

    The new Croat trainer is a holder of the UEFA Pro license and started his coaching badges at HK Halubjan in 1999 as youth coach.

    He led HNK Rijeka in a similar capacity between 2005- 2007 before being elevated as the assistant manager for the team’s seniors for a year.

    Beyond his native Croatia, Mihic has had stints in Sudan with Al Merreikh as an assistant manager between 2009 and 2010, Kuwait’s Al Fahaheel, and Al Ahli FC Youth also as an assistant manager in 2010.

  • Where Is The New 24-Carat Gold-Plated FKF Trophy?

    Where Is The New 24-Carat Gold-Plated FKF Trophy?

    A momentous ceremony at Kenyatta Stadium was void of the 24-carat gold-plated FKF trophy promised by President Nick Mwendwa.

    The discrepancy between the trophy unveiled with pomp and the one received casts a shadow of doubt over the transparency and integrity of the Kenyan football administration.

    Where is the coveted symbol of cultural heritage and sporting achievement, and why was it not presented as pledged?

    The 24-Carat Gold-Plated FKF Trophy vs What Gor Mahia Was Awarded

    In a bustling ceremony at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos, Gor Mahia celebrated their triumph as they clinched their 21st FKF Premier League title.

    The event was a spectacle of joy and pride, with Gor Mahia securing their victory well before the final matches.

    However, amidst the jubilation and fanfare, there is a lingering question: where is the 24-carat gold-plated FKF trophy that was supposed to be awarded this season?

    Gor Mahia, deserving champions, did not lift the new trophy unveiled by FKF President Nick Mwendwa.

    Instead, they received a different trophy, sparking confusion and concern among football enthusiasts across Kenya.

    The Unveiling of the FKF Trophy

    The 24-carat gold-plated trophy was introduced during the 2020/21 season with great fanfare. Designed to symbolize Kenya’s rich heritage and the Maasai culture, it stands at an impressive 80cm tall and weighs 11kg.

    The trophy features a Maasai warrior holding a football, standing proudly atop a base adorned with the Big Five animals of Kenya – the lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, and rhino.

    Promises Made, Promises Broken

    Nick Mwendwa, in his announcement, promised that this extravagant trophy would be presented to the inaugural winner of the FKF Premier League at the end of the 2020/21 season.

    He emphasized its significance as not just a sporting accolade but a representation of Kenya’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.

    Moreover, Mwendwa declared a substantial prize of Sh5 million for the winning team, making the stakes even higher for clubs vying for this prestigious trophy.

    Where Did the Trophy Go?

    Despite these grand promises and the fanfare surrounding its unveiling, questions remain unanswered.

    Why did Gor Mahia not receive the trophy that was prominently featured in all the promotional materials and announcements? Why was a different trophy handed to the league champions?

    The Silence Speaks Volumes

    The lack of clarity from FKF officials regarding the whereabouts of the 24-carat gold-plated trophy is troubling.

    Supporters of Kenyan football, as well as the teams themselves, deserve transparency and accountability.

    The trophy represents more than just a reward; it embodies the aspirations and dreams of players and fans alike.

    Demand for Answers

    As fans and stakeholders in Kenyan football, we demand answers from the FKF administration.

    The disappearance or delayed presentation of such a significant trophy raises serious concerns about the management of football in Kenya.

    Transparency is essential to maintain the integrity of the sport and the trust of its followers.

    Is Nick Mwendwa A Crook?

    In 2022, Kenya reinstated the Football Kenya Federation, which it had shut down in 2021 due to corruption accusations.

    However, Mwendwa, the former leader, cannot return to work until his legal issues are resolved.

    The federation was closed because it couldn’t explain how it used money from the government and sponsors. Mwendwa was accused of improperly taking Sh500 million from the government.

    Conclusion

    The 24-carat gold-plated FKF trophy stands as a testament to Kenya’s cultural richness and the competitive spirit of its football leagues.

    Its absence from the recent celebrations calls into question the FKF’s commitment to its promises and obligations.

    Until concrete answers are provided, the football community will continue to wonder: where is the trophy that was meant to be the pinnacle of achievement in the FKF Premier League?

  • Funds Embezzlement Claims Rock Gor Mahia Club Officials

    Funds Embezzlement Claims Rock Gor Mahia Club Officials

    That if it rains it pours is not a phrase we have not been already accustomed to when it comes to matters concerning record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia.

    In the latest saga at the team, club treasurer Dolfina Odhiambo has highlighted damning revelations of how secretary general Sam Ocholla, vice chairman Francis Wasuna and one co-opted Executive Committee member Gerphas Okumu doctored minutes and claimed to have been sanctioned by the Gor Mahia Executive Members on their way to changing/adding of mandate in the club’s account as they claimed to increase the same to four for any transactions.

    To the treasure’s surprise, the three got their way in successfully conducting the ‘illegal transaction’ after the assistance of the top honchos at Bank of Africa, which holds the club’s accounts.

    “Few days ago, Secretary General Mr. Sam Ocholla, The Vice Chairman,Mr. Wasuna and one Co-opted EC member Gerphas Okuku, went to Bank of Africa, which holds the Club’s account with doctored minutes claiming to have been sanctioned by the GMFC EC Members authorizing change/addition of mandate and which claims to increase the same to four for any transactions. To my surprise and with due respect to BOA, they managed to do the illegal transaction with assistance of an employee of the Bank, the Bank Manager, Nairobi Branch -Reinsurance Plaza,” a part of the press release read.

    Gor Mahia chairman, Ambrose Rachier.

    According to the treasure, this latest move by the officials of the club comes as a ploy to reap the KSh. 6,600,000 that the club is set to receive from CAF for their qualification to the CAF Confederation Cup.

    The duo of Wasuna and Ocholla are also said to be culpable of the mysterious disappearance of a total sum of Ksh. 7,600,000 which the club treasure says she cannot account for and is not reflecting in the club’s bank portals.

    “Fellow members and fans of GMFC, the same individuals collected Kshs. 2,000,000.00 as Betway Cup prize winning money in cash despite my efforts to provide the club’s account to FKF, this is in addition to the initial Kshs. 3,000,000.00 collected from the same FKF at the beginning of the season, which to date has never been accounted for by same Mr. Wasuna and Mr. Ocholla.”

    “I have also been reliably informed that the Kshs. 2,600,000.00 which FKF owes GMFC as grants from BetKing Premier League Sponsorship has also been paid to the club, an amount which I have not seen in the Club’s account as at the time of this release, I therefore ask the FKF CEO to come clear on who they gave the money as was rightly confirmed by FKF last week,” the letter continued.

    The treasure went ahead to ask the fans and club members not to demand accountability from her as the money she is supposed to handle is not within her confines

    “As I conclude fellow members, you elected me with the help of the Finance Officer to be the custodian of clubs’ finances, I therefore feel that it won’t be fair for the members to ask me to be accountable to the money/funds/grants which I never received. I shall continue to do my best to ensure high levels of Transparency and Accountability is achieved in this Club,” the treasurer concluded.