BY MWANAHABARI REPORTER
Gor Mahia has had some of the best midfielders in the Kenya Premier League in the last 10 years. They came to the Kenyan football scene and conquered the pitch with their prowess, power and wit. Mwanahabri.co.ke takes a look at some of the best midfielders K’Ogalo has had in its fold in the past decade.
Khalid Aucho
There can only be one Khalid Aucho – the Ugandan technician who brought life and flare into Gor Mahia’s midfield. Khalid Aucho was rock solid in the midfield area – and had just the right physique to do the job exceptionally well. That is how he endeared himself in the hearts of Gor Mahia faithful.
The stout Ugandan played for Gor Mahia from 2015 to May 2016 – that’s not a long time, but still he left a lasting impression in the minds of supporters. The lad was good – and that’s probably why the Gor Mahia walls could not contain him. He won the league with Gor Mahia in 2015 and was in the same year crowned the second best midfielder in the Kenya Premier League.
Anthony Akumu
The lanky defender patrolled the Gor Mahia midfield with the dedication of a combat soldier. This he did for a period of five years – between 2010 and 2014 – before leaving for Sudan’s top-tier side Al Khartoum.
Francis Kakata
His left foot distinguished him from the rest of the fold – and in the process made up for his tiny frame. Although considerably small in size, what he lacked in his physique, he made up for with his wit. Kahata has a good football brain which came in handy during his shift as a midfielder for Gor Mahia between 2015 and 2019 when he left to join Simba of Tanzania. Kahata scored a crucial against South African side Super Sport United which sent Gor Mahia to the CAF confederation cup group stages.
Collins Okoth Gattuso
The short and stout defensive midfielder was feared commander in the pitch. He could plough through opponents leaving behind a trail of casualties. The opponents feared him – but Gor Mahia supporters revered him. Gatusso’s first joined Gor Mahia in 2011 from Tusker but left in 2012. He would return to Gor in 2014 when he helped Gor to win the Kenyan Premier League title.
Collins retired from football saying: “I have decided to quit football. The reason is because of the problems it has brought me. I want to enroll for a course in January and continue with my studies. I have a talent in football but now have shifted my focus to education and see what happens next,” he told SuperSport.com. He was nicknamed Gattuso – after Italian midfielder Genaro Gattuso due to his strength, work-rate, aggressive and hard-tackling style of play.
Geoffrey ‘Baba’ Kizito
The Ugandan international joined Gor in January 2014.
He was a key figure in Gor Mahia and scored some amazing goals during his time at the club. Kizito and his three Ugandan counter-parts of Dan Sserunkuma and Godfrey Walusimbi helped Gor Mahia to retain the Kenya Premier League that same season – a performance that saw Kizito left Gor Mahia in 2015 – but not before being ranked the second Most Valuable Player in the Kenyan league that season.
Kenneth Muguna
Keneth Muguna is a gifted midfielder who has captained Gor Mahia. The midfielder joined Gor Mahia in 2017 after being voted the most Valuable Player in the Kenyan Premier League in 2016 – while appearing for Western Stima. Muguna would later leave Gor Mahia – but returned after two seasons. The playmaker has been a key figure for Gor Mahia in the midfield this season. His lanky – almost lazy feet – have wheeled him well in the K’Ogalo midfield. They have never let him down – really. Although many feel that he is yet to hit a crescendo in his career – there is no doubt that he has grown to become a man – and a good midfielder.