Gor Mahia fans in full song at the aborted Mashemeji Derby. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya
NAIROBI, October 29 –Gor Mahia will hoist a new trophy aloft on Sunday when they are crowned SportPesa Premier League champion since the record 15-time top flight winners will get to keep the old cup for good.
Gor who held on to the title for three times in a row this season, will celebrate another landmark as the first side to lift the Europe-manufactured new trophy that weighs 12kgs.
An elaborate trophy presentation ceremony has been planned on after Gor play their last game of the season against Muhoroni Youth where they are out to wrap up the season unbeaten at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium.
“Gor will have the opportunity to have a touch of the new trophy when they will be presented with it but after winning the league for three seasons in a row, they will keep the old one for good,” KPL announced on their official website.
It has been a splendid outing for the most successful club in Kenya with the class of 2015 setting records to re-ignite memories of the golden team that ruled the region and Africa, winning the domestic title from 1985 to 87.
After being the first team in the 16 team format to hit the 75 points mark, K’Ogalo are on the verge of entering into the county’s football history books if they finish the season without tasting defeat in the Kenyan Premier League era that started in 2007.
Only 2006 champions, Sony Sugar got 75 points when they won their first crown when the league featured 20 teams.
Gor officials have called on their fans to maintain decorum on Sunday to enable a smooth ceremony unlike in the past two seasons that saw the Green Army invade the pitch, making it difficult for organisers to hand over the cup.
Last season, the trophy ceremony was done in Kisumu’s Moi Stadium with club patron and former Prime Minister, Rt Hon Raila Odinga presenting the diadem amid chaotic scenes as the crowd invaded the pitch and main dais in manic celebration.
Keeper Boniface Oluoch who has kept clean sheets in the last five, will looking to win the Golden Gloves award while striker, Michael Olunga who scored his 18th goal in their 1-0 win over Western Stima, has a chance to close on Tusker FC’s Jesse Were 20 goals in the race for the Golden Boot.
