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KENYA
NIGERIA
There is nothing like Gor Mahia, is a statement that I have heard throughout my playing and coaching career.
It has been put to my face on many occasions, sometimes not in a pleasant manner.
But I have learnt to deal with it, I mean, they are a big club in many respects and they have passionate fans and anyway, this is football.
There is a time, when at SoNy Sugar, we beat them fair and square.
But their fans would still come to me and make noise about how bad we are.
That is just typical Gor.
Bad experiences
My players and teammates too over the years had some bad experiences.
At times we were roughed up for being on the wrong end of the results, by that I mean beating Gor.
I used to tell my players to try ignore what they would be told by the fans and even players, but it was so hard to because they have an undoubted presence.
However, despite talking to them, they (my mates) would still have nothing good to say about facing the club.
They would always say big mouths, no performances.
Down to earth
However, that was not always the way Gor were. The team that won the continental championships in 1987 was different.
All the players that year did their talking on the pitch. They were football players with a difference.
Even back then, Gor fans were their usual selves, proud and loud, but their players were not.
Abbas Khamis, Dawo and Co. were down to earth players, looking to get on with the game, win or lose.
They just wanted to get onto the pitch and show the world what they were capable of.
Borrow a leaf
Which is what the current side is.
They have the discipline required to play the game and play it well and win well.
The Coaching staff (Zdravko Logarusic and Bobby Ogolla) have done a great job, which is ensuring that the players are focussed and eager to play.
They have also instilled in the players the virtue of talking with their football. Show what they can do without too much talk.
And it has bore fruit.
Play well
The current Gor outfit is fabulous.
I watched them play Sofapaka recently and they were on top of their game. They took apart Sofapaka and were really unlucky not to win.
The football they played was fantastic, great to watch and inspiring to football fans, both young and old.
If they continue that way, keep the coaching staff intact and get on with the game, then maybe one day they can match the greats of 1987.
They are every penny worth it.
