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Owalo urges Gor Mahia to repeat 1987 Mandela Cup heroics ahead of CAF CL return
03rd June, 2026 10:11 AM
Gor Mahia patron Eliud Owalo has challenged the newly crowned record-breakers to set their sights on conquering Africa, urging them to repeat the historic continental feat achieved by the club nearly four decades ago.
Gor Mahia famously won the 1987 African Cup Winners’ Cup, popularly known as the Mandela Cup. That golden era of the 1980s boasted legendary figures such as Tobias Ocholla, George Oroge, and the recently departed Allan Thigo, affectionately remembered as the “90-minute man,” who led the team to ultimate continental glory.
Their historic victory over Tunisian giants Espérance Sportive de Tunis in a dramatic, hard-fought two-legged final remains the only time a Kenyan club has lifted a continental title.
Having recently cemented their domestic dominance on home soil by securing a record-extending 22nd league title, Owalo maintained that local triumphs have now become ordinary for K’Ogalo. He insisted that the club’s primary focus must shift to continental success.
Continental crown
“We have won the league 22 times, but we have only won the continental title once. Winning the local league is no longer out of the ordinary for Gor Mahia,” Owalo stated.
“How I wish we could replicate the feat that was achieved by the 1987 team by making us proud and winning the CAF Champions League next season,” he implored.
The patron shared his optimism that the current squad is up to the task, provided they secure the right reinforcements and act on strategic advice from the technical bench.
“We have the capacity, the wherewithal, and the players. Based on the guidance of the technical bench working closely with the office, I believe we will be able to strengthen the team in areas that need reinforcement. I truly believe we have a team capable of repeating that historic Mandela Cup triumph,” he posited.
Charles Akonnor’s side emerged as the eventual winners of a title race that was effectively decided with two fixtures left to play, courtesy of AFC Leopards’ loss to APS Bomet in the league’s penultimate fixture on Sunday, May 24, 2026.
