GOR SUPREMACY BATTLE

Gor Biro, Yawne Yoo (Gor is coming, clear the way). The clarion call of 1980s that made the club famous and infamous in equal measure is back.

Gor Mahia’s Green Army, a legion of fiercely proud and haughty fans, have regained their position in Kenya’s football lexicon.Clad in green jerseys, scuffs, caps and jackets, which are are in high demand, they have stadium terraces perfect stage to showcase their newfound swag, which a popular columnist, Philip Ochieng’, would liken to that of a peacock and a rhino.

They are saying after Barrack Obama’s victory in US Presidential elections, it is their today followed by Raila Odinga’s in March - a hat-trick.

Sirkal are doing so well these days, compared to their ragtag fans of 1980s, who were equally loyal.

They are more organised and are richer. With outsourced ticket handlers and commercial merchants, they are reaping millions from big matches like today’s and merchandise.

A closed fisted salute accompanied by the anthem ‘Timbe tinde yuakni (rivals cry when they see you)’ precede their matches. Patriotic songs have been composed, many of them corrupted from the Hymn Book.

But there is a fundamental difference between the fanaticism and the quality of players, as observed by a former player, which I will come to in later paragraphs.

Gor have vowed to win the Kenyan Premier League title today. Which is very likely, unless Thika United does what Nzoia Sugar and Hakati used to do to the K’Ogallo of the 1980s.

Ezra Odhiambo, a diehard Gor Mahia fan from 1980s, still curses the days Gor would be remaining with a single point to win the league only for Leonard Khayota or Evans Shibinda of Nzoia to spoil the party.

“You see, Nzoia was our bogey team. Whatever we did, however good we were, we would never beat them in Kanduyi. Voice of Kenya sportscaster Stephen Mwita Koroso would say “waskilizaji, Gor wamefanya kazi ya ziada lakini bahati haikusimama. Nzoia wameshinda (listerners, Gor really tried, but were unlucky. Nzoia have won)”

“Then Hakati Sportiff had players Maxwell Ouma, James Nandwa, Lukusi Ojera, Apollo Oreso and James Ouma Jacaranda who always disappointed us (Gor),” recalls Odhiambo.

Whether Thika United are capable of emulating Nzoia Sugar and Hakari Sportiff remains to be seen today.

The fanaticism and the carnival atmosphere that descended on the grounds Gor played is replicated. Groups of fans dancing around the stadium without regard to what is going on in the pitch. On the Russian side, others sing throughout the period of the match. They don’t move, come rain or sun.

Apollo Otuoro, a Gor legend, says although the current players are good and can win the 2012 KPL, they cannot match the old generatioN.He says there is a huge difference between the likes of Rama Salim, Edwin Lavatsa, George Midenyo and Moses Odhiambo with, for instance, Allan Thigo, Tim Ayieko and Abbey Nassur; or Gideon Hamisi, Sammy  Owino and Nashon ‘Lule’ Oluoch, or that of ‘Zangi’ Okello, George ‘Fundi’ Onyango, Odembo ‘Nyangi’, Peter ‘Bassanga’ Otieno, Abbas Khamis Magongo, Nick Akura, Austin Oduor, David ‘Kamoga’ Ochieng’,, Sammy ‘Jogoo’ Onyango, John Bobby Ogolla.

“Even officials were fanatical. David Opar, then Gor chairman, was filled with the Mahia (Gor’s spirits) that he collapsed when he announced the change of name from Gor to Gulf Olympic Rangers in 1980,” recalls Otuoro.

“That fanaticism and fan loyalty matched the quality of players. These ones are good, but they are lethargic, don’t entertain and are in a hurry to get rid of the ball. That suggests some lack of confidence,” asserts Otuoro. 

Officials will want to digest this point, if they win the KPL title and start preparation for next year’s continental tournament