Featured Image: Gor Mahia FC, the 1983 League Champions:

Top row Charles Otieno-rip, Austin Oduor, Isaiah Omondi, Enock Obwaka
2nd row from left George Otieno Solo, Peter Okello Kolobot, David Ochieng ,Nick Okoth Akura, Michael Adede
3rd row Amos Nandi,Sam Onyango Jogoo, Abdallah Shebe, Lawrence Okwiri, John Chore, Maurice Okado, George Ouma
Front row from left Abbey Nassur, John Okello Zangi, Hesborn Omolo, George Otieno Vigo, Peter Otieno Bassanga,Len Julians

1983 Kenya National Football League

Gor Mahia won the league for the first title in 3 years. They had not won the league since 1979. It had been 3 seasons of frustration. Interestingly, Gor Mahia started the season very poorly. Prior to the start of the season, they had lost several players to departures, retirement, suspensions, expulsions and career ending injuries: Allan Thigo, Nahashon Oluoch, Sammy Owino, Tim Ayieko, Hamisi Shamba, Andrew Obunga, Mike Ogolla, George Ayuka, Charles Ondiek, Paul Oduwo, Sammy Ndonga, all stalwarts of previous years were gone.

Gor Mahia started the season with a new squad which took a long time to settle. Among the new players were goalkeeper David Ochieng, Charles Otieno, John Okello, Hezborn Omollo and Abdallah Shebe. Jerry Imbo was the coach.

Gor Mahia lost their season opener 1-0 to Motcom, before losing 3-1 to Breweries. Gor Mahia were also eliminated from the Africa cup winners cup as documented below.  Alarm bells sounded amongst fans who demanded changes. Patron Job Omino and Chairman Zack Mbori decided to hire British coach Len Julians. The arrival of Len Julians rejuvenated Gor Mahia went on a winning spree. The midfield consisting of Charles Otieno, John Okello Zangi and Gideon Hamisi was fluent. The attack consisting of Enock Obwaka, Hezborn Omollo, Sammy Onyango and Abdallah Shebe was lethal, scoring an incredible 84 goals.

The standings at the halfway point of the season

Scarlet came very close to winning the league. They were leading at the halfway point of the league. They scored an impressive 81 goals. Their lethal attack was led by Charles Odero who was the top scorer in the league. Ambrose Ayoyi “Golden Boy” excelled on the left wing as well as Jack Sihul who had been top scorer in the previous year. Other players who excelled for Scarlet were goalkeeper Washington Muhanji, George Ojwang and Tom Odhiambo.

1983 CECAFA Cup

Kenya hosted the 1984 CECAFA cup. Group A matches were built at the newly constructed Nyayo national stadium while group B matches were played at Mombasa Municipal stadium. Kenya’s Harambee Stars were in group A. They started their campaign with a 2-1 win over Uganda Cranes. Vincent Ssemanobe had given Uganda an early lead before Kenya replied with goals from Wilberforce Mulamba and Sammy Taabu. In the second match, Kenya outclassed Ethiopia 2-0 with Ambrose Ayoyi and Nahashon Mahila scoring the goals. Kenya were then held by Tanzania 0-0 before they beat Sudan 1-0 with a goal from Mulamba. In the semi-finals, Kenya played their best game, beating Malawi 2-0 with goals from Mulamba and Ayoyi. In the final, Kenya recorded a memorable 1-0 win over Zimbabwe to win the CECAFA senior challenge cup for the third time in a row.