Featured Image: Jonathan Niva, Joe Kadenge and Livingstone Madegwa
Abaluhya FC was once again dominant. They provided the bulk of national team players including Charles Makunda, Jonathan Niva , Anthony Mukabwa , Moses Wabwayi , Daniel Anyanzwa , John Ambani , Joe Kadenge, Livingstone Madegwa and John Nyawanga.
Luo Union Sidelined by Luo Sports Club
Meanwhile the rivalry between Oginga Odinga and Tom Mboya took its toll on Luo Union. A year earlier, Luo Sports club had been created. Backed by Tom Mboya, the club poached some players from Luo Union. In 1967, Tom Mboya used his influence to ensure that weaker Luo Sports club was included in the national league while the much stronger Luo Union was left out. Several Luo Union players crossed over to Kisumu Hotstars so that they could continue playing in the league. They included goal-scoring machine William Ouma “Chege”, Chris Obure, John Otieno “Hatari” and James Sianga. Luo Sports club were much weaker than Luo Union FC had been. Nevertheless they had national team players like Stephen Yongo and Walter Molo in their ranks.
With Luo Union all but disbanded, Feisal and Nakuru All Stars on the decline , Abaluhya FC were left to dominate.
Final Standings
It was a season with several lopsided victories. Abaluhya beat Homa Bay 13-1. Kisumu Hotstars beat Kitale 10-0 and also trounced Luo Sports club 5-1. The Abaluhya marauding attack of Joe Kadenge and Livingstone Madegwa scored 48 gooals between them. Abaluhya scored over 80 goals in 1967.
Abaluhya fielded a defensive unit that is amongst the best the country has ever seen. Anthony Mukabwa in central defence, earned a reputation for his aerial superiority. Jonathan Niva is still considered by many to be the greatest right full back Kenya has ever produced. A solid defender who made marauding runs forward and possessed a ferocious shot which he deployed often as the teams designated penalty taker. In midfield there was Daniel Anyanzwa, a brilliant distributor of the ball.
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