Standing L-R: Aineah Isabwa, Ben Musuku, Peter Lichungu, Mickey “T9” Weche, Henry Omondi , Francis Kadenge , Patrick Shim, Peter Zimbo Owade and Wilberforce Mulamba.
Squatting L-R: Omar Shabaan, Patrick Shilasi, Moses Mulamba, Thomas Omboko, John Busolo, Josephat Murila and John “Shoto” Lukoye.
1986 Kenya National Football League
1986 was a landmark season from a sponsorship perspective as AFC Leopards became the first self-supporting company to get a jersey sponsorship. This occurred when they signed a deal with Crown Paints. The result was financial stability which provided players with a healthy allowance. This translated to an excellent performance on the field of play as AFC won the league unbeaten.
The most memorable league match of 1986 was the second leg Mashemeji derby. Gor Mahia were leading 2-0 thanks to a double by Sammy Onyango “Jogoo”. However they inexplicable conceded three soft goals in the second half. Gor Mahia officials held an inquest and five players were suspended after it emerged that they had received bribes from AFC Chairman, moneybag Alfred Sambu.
1986 Kenya National Football League Standings
1986 Kenya National Football League Top Scorers
Patrick “Amin” Omuse of Kahawa United, a military team, emerged as the top scorer
The Emergence of Volcano United
In 1986, Volcano United became the first semi-professional team in Kenya. More than half of the players were on monthly salaries. The team was the brainchild of Austrian Gerry Saurer who also acted as coach. The team was star studded with national team players like Gabriel Olang, Wycliffe Anyangu, Davis Oyiela. Four Tanzanian stars were recruited including legendary dangerman Zamoyoni Mogella, midfielder Hamisi Gaga, defenders Lila Shomari and Hassan Juma who later became a Kenyan and played for Harambee Stars in 1987.
The Inaugural Moi Golden Cup
After a hiatus of several years, the KFF re-introduced the nationwide knockout tournament which had previously been named the KFF Challenge Cup. It was a dramatic tournament.
AFC Leopards, despite winning the league in style, were among the earliest casualties when they lost 2-0 to Volcano United in dramatic fashion. However Volcano were themselves surprisingly bundled out by provincial side Eastleigh Sportiff.
Newly formed Bandari FC which was still playing in the Coast Provincial League, surprised everyone when they reached the final of the Moi Golden Cup. Coached by Legendary coach Mohammed Kheri, Bandari boasted several players who had previously played for Kenya Cargo FC like Ricky Solomon “Tolle” as well as others like Charles Okeyo, James Otwenyo, Ali Jeneby and Albert Oyoo “Wazimu”. Bandari benefited significantly after the demise of Legendary side Laker Warriors FC which was disbanded during this period. Many of their players joined Bandari.
In the final, Gor Mahia beat Bandari 1-0. It was a hard fought win. The game was scoreless for 85 minutes before Gor Mahia scored a late winner.
Motokura Cup
In 1986, a Japanese businessman known as Motokura established an International tournament that featured European teams such as Den Bosch and FC Seraing from Holland and Belgium respectively. Honda FC, a Japanese team that boasted several Brazilians, won the tournament, beating Gor Mahia 3-2 in the final. The score was 2-2 after 90 minutes before Honda FC scored in extra time to win.
1986 CECAFA Club Cup: The end of a glorious era
Between 1976 and 1985, Kenyan clubs had won 9 out of 10 editions of the CECAFA cup. The stranglehold was finally broken in 1986 when the tournament was held in Mwanza Tanzania. Gor Mahia were placed in difficult group B where they lost to their opening games to Zambian champions Mufulira Wanderers which boasted the legendary Kalusha Bwalya. They then went on to lose 1-0 to Maji Maji FC of Songea before drawing 1-1 with El Merreikh which eliminated them. They salvaged some dignity by beating Wagad of Somalia 3-0 in the last game.
AFC Leopards for their part were in fine form in the group stage, beating Young Africans of Tanzania, KCC of Uganda and Small Simba of Zanzibar. They then drew 1-1 with Silver Strikers of Malawi to to the group. In the semis, they lost to El Merreikh of Sudan in extra time.
