Featured Image:
Backrow: Apollo Ndeda, Mahmoud Abbas, Tony Lidonde, Peter Otieno, Josphat Murila, Avedi Mjumbe, Bobby Ogolla, Jack Sihul, Elly Adero, Apollo Obota
Frontrow: Jared Ingutia, Wilberforce Mulamba, Haggai Mirikau, Ambrose Ayoyi, Hussein Kheri, James Ouma, Sammy Taabu
President Moi Forces Name Changes
In 1981, a government directive forced all teams that had names with tribal sentiments to change their names. In addition, all tribal associations were disbanded. As a result, Abaluhya Football Club became AFC Leopards. Ramogi FC became Lake Warriors. Abeingo became Nakuru Wanderers. Luo Union had split into two teams years earlier: Luo United and Luo Stars. The two teams re-united again to form Re Union. Maragoli FC became Imara United. GEMA FC became Aberdare Rangers. Gor Mahia FC were about to change their name to Gulf Olympic Rangers. But club officials appealed to President Moi and convinced him that Gor Mahia was the name of a legendary leader and not a tribal name. President Moi thus spared Gor Mahia the name change much to the relief of fans.
1981 Kenya National Football League
AFC Leopards were already a dominant side in 1980. But they strengthened their unit further with the arrival of players like Wilberforce Mulamba, who was recruited from Maragoli FC. He joined a lethal attack that already had Wellington Lidonde, Joe Masiga, Noah Wanyama and Aggrey Lukoye, all national team players. Goalkeeper Mahmoud Abbas emerged as the undisputed best goalkeeper in the country and was the primary reason why AFC conceded the least number of goals in the league. In addition he was ably assisted by a solid defensive line featuring Shadrack Oyando and Josphat Murila.
Rising Stars
Military side, Scarlet FC which was based in Lanet, made their maiden appearance in the national league. They recruited heavily from other Nakuru sides. Jack Sihul, George Ojwang and Tom Odhiambo were recruited from Nyanam FC. The robustly built Sihul used his physical strength to shake off defenders. He had a powerful left foot shot that left goalkeepers with no chance. Sihul would end up being the top scorer of the national league and earned a place in the national team that played in the CECAFA challenge cup. He formed a lethal forward partnership with Ambrose Ayoyi
James Ouma “Jacaranda” of Hakati Sportif, continued with his stellar display. He scored 17 goals in the league and also earned a place in the national team.
Notable Mentions
Kakamega based MoW (Ministry of Works) was the surprise package of the 1981 league. They fielded a team consisting of several schoolboys from Kakamega High and Musingu secondary including the towering linkman Peter Lichungu, Patrick Shilasi and the brilliant Dan Musuku who ended up scoring 20 goals . In one game in particular, Musuku scored 4 goals as MoW hammered Bata Bullets 5-1. He formed a lethal forward partnership with fellow school boys Mike Amwayi and Peter Ouma. Other key players included Alfred Mukangula. Alfred Imonje and Aggrey Litali. They were coached by Chris Makokha who doubled up as coach of Kakamega high and was also a Physics teacher at the school.
Lake Warriors (formerly Ramogi) also gave a good account of themselves, tying with MoW on points. They had in their ranks, the fast rising George Onyango who would later be dubbed “Fundi” and would play a key role for Gor Mahia and the national team. He scored 12 goals in the league as did team-mate James Onyango. Together they formed a lethal attack with winger Albert Oyoo “Wazimu” who warned that nickname in primary school. Lake Warriors was a vastly experienced side with veterans like Leakey Osodo, Vitalis Wandewa and Paul Opot as well as fast rising youngstars like James Otwenyo who played key roles. Ramogi scored a memorable 2-1 win over AFC Leopards in their last match with Opot scoring twice.
Another vastly experienced side was Re Union, formerly known as Luo Union then Luo United and Luo Stars. They still had Ugandan turned Kenyan Edward Kiiza, the free scoring Agonda Lukio, Apollo Obota and Charles Ochieng who had been in the national team in the mid 1970s, alongside the brilliant Eric Omonge. They also had a fast rising winger in Francis Kadenge, son of the legendary Joe Kadenge.
1981 KNFL Top scorers
Abbey Nassur, who had played for the Uganda Cranes at the 1978 Africa Cup of Nations, emerged the most prolific scorer alongside Jack Sihul. Nassur had joined Gor Mahia from Maragoli FC. Prior to that Nassur had to escape from Uganda using the Range Rover that had been given to him by former Ugandan president Iddi Amin. When Amin was overthrown, anyone who was seen as having benefited from his regime had to escape to avoid arrest. Nassur ended up at a refugee camp in Kakamega from where he was spotted by Maragoli FC team manager Joe Kadenge who recruited him to play for Maragoli FC.
Nassur would benefit from the play-making skills of Gor Mahia’s brilliant midfielders Allan Thigo, Sammy Owino, Tim Ayieko and winger Nahashon Oluoch.
1981 KFF Challenge Cup
Arch rivals AFC Leopards met in the second round of the KFF Challenge cup. Gor Mahia emerged victorious, winning 1-0 thanks to a goal by Gideon Hamisi. In the quarter-finals, Gor Mahia beat Nakuru Wanderers 2-1. In the other quarter-final, Brollo FC of Mombasa beat Nzoia 2-1. Gor Mahia then beat Brollo FC 2-0 with two late goals from Sammy Onyango and Gideon Hamisi.
In the final, Gor Mahia played Busia United. Busia took the lead in the 19th minute. Andrew Obunga leveled for Gor Mahia in the 38th minute from the penalty spot. Abbey Nassur scored the winner right before halftime. Gor Mahia won 2-1 thus earning a spot in the 1982 Africa Cup Winners cup.
The 1981 CECAFA Club Cup
Kenya hosted the 1981 edition of the CECAFA club cup. Group A matches were played in Nairobi, while group B matches were played in Kisumu, marking the first time that the Lakeside town had hosted an international tournament. Defending champions Gor Mahia were in group B in Kisumu while AFC Leopards were in group A.
Gor Mahia, backed by a passionate “home crowd”, started brilliantly beating KMKM of Zanzibar 2-0 and Nile Stars of Uganda 2-0. They were then held 0-0 by Simba SC of Dar es Salaam. Goalkeeper Charles Ondiek who rarely played was brilliant conceding only one goal throughout the whole tournament. At the time, Gor Mahia had two other good goalkeepers: Dan Odhiambo and George Ayuka.
AFC Leopards for their part had a disastrous outing. They were held 0-0 by Limbe Leaf of Malawi which was led by brilliant winger Bennett Gondwe. In the second match, they were downed 3-1 by Kabwe Warriors of Zambia. The legendary Godfrey Chitalu scored twice.
In the Semi-Finals, Limbe Leaf were disqualified after they staged a walkout to protest the referee’s decision to award Simba a penalty when winger Murage Kabange was fouled in the penalty area. In the other Semi-Finals, Gor Mahia beat Kabwe Warriors 2-1 to set up a rematch with Simba SC in the final. Bobby Ogolla was the man of the match. He scored with a powerful free-kick and also managed to contain Zambian dangerman Godfrey Chitalu. Gor Mahia won the final 1-0 and in the process retained the title they had won in Malawi a year earlier. Charles Ondiek initiated the move that resulted in the goal. He picked out with a pass. Thigo who was arguably the best player in the tournament moved towards the Simba goal before finding Nahashon Oluoch with a deft pass. Oluoch then dribbled past central defender Athumani Chama before scoring past Omar Mahadhi in the Simba goal. It marked the second succesive tournament “Lule” would score the winning goal.
1981 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup
The 1981 CECAFA senior challenge cup was held in Tanzania. Not much was expected from Kenya’s Harambee Stars. Several key players were missing. In particular, striker Joe Masiga did not travel as he was busy taking exams at the University of Nairobi. Several Gor Mahia players opted out due to perceived ill-treatment from KFF Chairman Dan Owino.
Kenya opened their campaign with a 1-0 win over Malawi. Fullback Hussein Kheri scored the lone goal. Kheri was on target again as Kenya beat Zanzibar 2-1 in their second match. Kenyan then lost 1-0 to hosts Tanzania with Peter Tino scoring a late goal.
In the semi-final, Harambee Stars beat the Uganda Cranes 3-1. In the final Harambee Stars beat Tanzania Mainland 1-0. James Ouma “Jacaranda” who was playing as centre forward, scored the winning goal in the 27th minute.
1981 Africa Club Competitions
AFC Leopards played in the Africa Cup of champions. In the first round, they faced a tall order against Al Ahly of Egypt, known popularly back then as “Nationale”. They lost the opening leg 3-1 in Cairo before drawing 1-1 in the return leg, thus going out 4-2 on aggregate.
Gor Mahia played in the Africa Cup Winners Cup. In the first round, they were slated to play against Coastal Union of Tanzania. The Tanzanians withdrew due to financial hardship, thus giving Gor Mahia a bye into the second round. Here they were pitted against Public Works of Somalia, known locally as Lavori Publici. Gor Mahia won the first leg 3-0 with goals from Sammy Owino, Nahashon Oluoch and Allan Thigo.
In the quarter-finals, Gor Mahia faced Djoliba of Mali. Gor Mahia lost the first leg 2-0 in Mali, leaving them with a tall order in the return leg. They won the return leg 1-0 with Abbey Nassur scoring the only goal from the penalty spot. Gor Mahia thus bowed out 2-1 on aggregate.
