Nicholas Kipkirui -The dream that never was

Nicholas Kipkirui would have been the big one. Having already demonstrated his prolific side with an average Zoo FC side, I imagined how good he would be in a K’Ogalo side that had a frontline of Jacques Tuyisenge, Ephraim Guikan, Sammy Onyango and who would soon be joined by the legendary Dennis Oliech.

He would have to fight to space of course, but when he made it, he would enjoy a supply line from the creative duo of Francis Kahata and Kenneth Muguna and wingers Boniface Omondi and George Odhiambo ‘Blackberry’ would be good for his heading capabilities. With Oliech aging, Guikan underwhelming and ‘Daddy’ inconsistent, I had no doubt that Kip would soon become Tuyisenge’s preferred partner.

He scored on his league debut, coming in as a substitute in the loss against Bandari and by the time he netted that goal against Zamalek in the 4-2 rout at Kasarani, everyone believed in him. He was that local striker who would relieve the burden from our cohort of foreign stars, finishing the season with 12 goals in all competitions – just 2 behind Jacques Tuyisenge.

With Tuyisenge gone, Kip was destined to the main man in the 2020 season and he began it with a bang. A brace against Aigle Noir in the Champions League and a goal against Tusker in the league opener was a sign of good things to come before injury struck. 5 goals between December 2019 and the Covid-19 induced stop to the season seems to suggest that he was getting back to form.

His departure from the club, though not a surprise as speculation has been rife for long and given the internal chaos at the club currently, has been disappointing to the club’s fanbase nevertheless. It is a partnership that had promised much more but thanks to injury and financial woes at the club, never came to fruition.

Memorable Goals

The goal against Zamalek of course stands out as one of Kip’s memorable goals on the green jersey but the brace against Ingwe sent fans into a frenzy. He was the 6th Gor Mahia player to score more than 1 goal in a league match against AFC Leopards. The goal against Petro Luanda despite the loss brought out shades of Peter Dawo while the brace against Aigle Noir ramped up his figures in CAF games.

The best was however saved for the last. All hope was gone at the Nyayo stadium after APR notched that away goal last December in the preliminary round of the CAF Champions League before Kipkirui rose to head that ball home with the referee about to blow the final whistle. Those old enough saw Peter Dawo downing Benin’s Dragons in the Mandela Cup semi-finals in 1987. Oops, I forget his last goal for the club, a screamer against Bandari in a 3-1 league victory, and what a way it is to sign off for the club.

In total Kip scored 23 goals for the club in all competitions in his short stay at the club. In modern times, he ranks behind 7 players in the club’s scoring charts; Jacques Tuyisenge, Meddie Kagere, Danny Sserunkuma, George Odhiambo ‘Berry’, Michael Olunga, Rama Salim, Kevin ‘Ade’ Omondi and Sammy Onyango.

Kip will most likely become the main striker at City Stars and very soon we shall see him hit that 50 league goal mark – he’s currently on 38 league goals (22 for Zoo FC and 16 for Gor Mahia). Tusker and AFC Leopards – 4 goals apiece – have been the teams at the receiving end of his wrath, and long may it continue.