SEASON REVIEW: One of Gor Mahia's darkest campaigns that ended in triumph

Gor Mahia's 2025/26 season will go down in history as one of redemption, resilience, and mixed emotions after recapturing the FKF Premier League by pipping eternal rivals AFC Leopards in one of the most fiercely contested title races, losing their beloved club patron, Raila Odinga and suffering humiliation at the hands of non-league side BB Bread in the Mozzart Bet Cup.

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Throughout the campaign, K’Ogalo displayed the consistency and winning mentality that has defined the club for generations. They navigated difficult fixtures, weathered periods of pressure, and produced crucial results when it mattered most.

While AFC Leopards pushed them all the way, Gor Mahia's experience proved decisive in the closing stages of the season.

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The pressure on Gor Mahia heading into the season was immense. Losing the title to Kenya Police FC had raised questions about the club's ability to maintain its dominance, while a rejuvenated AFC Leopards appeared determined to end years of frustration.

This followed a disappointing 2024/25 season that saw them finish second to Police FC before losing to Nairobi United in the 2025 Mozzart Bet Cup final to endure a trophyless season for the first time in 10 years and miss out on continental football.

The disappointing season last year led to the dissolution of the whole technical bench and the appointment of Ghanaian head coach Charles Akonnor and members of his backroom staff.

On his unveiling, a section of fans present presented Akonnor with two demands: win the league and the Mashemeji Derby.

Apart from Akonnor, the club roped in the quartet of Bryne Omondi, Lewis Bandi, Mike Kibwage and Felix Oluoch, all of whom were part of the Harambee Stars 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) team.

Additionally, Akonnor signed his compatriots Ebenezer Adukwaw and George Amonoo to help mount a serious title charge.

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K’Ogalo kicked off their campaign with a home match against Bidco United at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani and were haunted by the ghosts of last season after Amonoo, who came on as a second-half substitute, conceded a late penalty that the Thika-based club converted to hand the Kenyan giants their first loss of the season.

Having suffered heartbreak in the 2024//25 season, The Green Army, as is their nature, expressed their disappointment and demanded a meeting with Akonnor, whom they reminded of their demands of winning the title.

Akonnor reacted by winning the next five consecutive matches to give the team a big stake in the title matrix.

Raila Odinga's demise

Before the ship could be fully stabilised, Gor Mahia suffered one of their darkest days in the club's history as the season was marked by profound sadness.

On Wednesday, 15 October 2025, Gor Mahia suffered a devastating loss when club patron and long-time supporter Raila Odinga passed away.

His death sent shockwaves throughout the football community and beyond. For decades, Raila's association with Gor Mahia had transcended ordinary fandom. He was a symbol of support, loyalty, and unwavering belief in the club.

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The timing made the loss even more poignant.

Just days earlier, on 3 October, Raila had welcomed the team and handed the club Ksh10 million to help streamline preparations and support its ambitions for the season. The gesture reflected his enduring commitment to the club's success and the welfare of its players.

His passing left an emotional void that would be felt throughout the remainder of the campaign.

As players, officials, and supporters mourned their patron, the team found inspiration in his memory. Every victory became a tribute, every point earned a reflection of the values he had championed.

After a series of positive results where they conceded just one goal in eight matches, Gor Mahia would then suffer a heavy 4-1 defeat against league newbies APS Bomet in a torrid week that was compounded by a 1-0 defeat to AFC Leopards in the Mashemeji Derby.

With the derby loss, the Ghanaian tactician had already failed in one of the covenants made with the club's supporters.

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A draw against Bandari and another one against 2025 Mozzart Bet Cup winners Nairobi United in their last match of the year saw K’Ogalo cede top spot to their arch-rivals, AFC Leopards, who led the table in both Christmas and New Year to set the stage for a thrilling title race.

Remarkable 2026

2026 began on a sour note for the record 22-time league champions after their stalwart, Austin Odhiambo, completed a transfer to Lebanese side Nejmeh SC.

With the mid-season transfer window open, the club moved swiftly and signed South Sudan international Jackson Dwang’ as Odhiambo’s replacement.

Additionally, K’Ogalo bolstered their squad with the signings of Ghanaian striker Ebenezer Assifuah and Harambee Stars defender Frank Odhiambo from Swedish side Djurgården.

The three signings would prove to be a major asset in the title race; Assufuah announced his arrival with a winner in their remarkable 3-2 comeback victory over Murang’a Seal, while Odhiambo was not only a rock at the back but also an asset on set pieces.

BB Bread embarrassment

Yet while the league campaign ended in glory, the Mozzart Bet Cup brought humiliation and disappointment.

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Gor Mahia's journey came to a shocking halt in the Round of 32 when they were stunned by non-league side BB Bread in one of the biggest upsets in the competition's history.

The result sent shockwaves through Kenyan football. BB Bread had already demonstrated their giant-killing credentials by eliminating AFC Leopards in the previous round, but few expected them to claim another heavyweight scalp.

For Gor Mahia, the defeat represented a missed opportunity to pursue a domestic double and served as a reminder that football often refuses to follow the script.

While the league title would eventually soften the blow, the cup exit remains one of the campaign's biggest blemishes.

Where the league was won

After going toe to toe with AFC Leopards, the Mashemeji Derby held on Sunday, 26 April, was a key turning point and major boost in K’Ogalo’s title charge.

Gor went into the match sitting top of the league table with a three-point advantage over Ingwe. A win for AFC Leopards would bring them level with Gor, while a win for the latter would give them a healthy gap with five matches left.

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Despite Gor Mahia going into the derby on the back of a three-match winless run, they showed class and determination to outrun Leopards, especially in the first half and in the end, grabbed a 1-0 win courtesy of an 83rd-minute strike by Alpha Onyango.

With five matches to play, Gor Mahia needed just three wins to be declared champions. Having won two and drawn one of their next three matches, K'Ogalo needed a single win to clinch the title.

However, a venue dispute saw the postponement of their match against Mara Sugar. Nevertheless, the encounter mattered little in the title context as Leopards suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Mozzart Bet-sponsored APS Bomet to ensure that Gor Mahia sail to their 22nd league title.

For their exemplary season, Ghanaian midfielder Enock Morrison won both the FKFPL Most Valuable Player (MVP) award as well as the Best Midfielder in the end-of-season Gala Awards.

Akonnor was also named as the Coach of the Season on his debut campaign, while Morrison, Paul Ochuoga and Shariff Musa made it to the Team of the Season.

While much of the accolades must go to coach Akonnor and his playing unit for winning the title, the Gor Mahia management, led by Chairman Ambrose Rachier and Club Patron Eliud Owalo, must be commended for steadily steering the club and ensuring it ropes in quality players.

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Credit must also go to the club's supporters who pushed the team throughout the season to ensure they reclaimed the title.

What Next for Gor Mahia

Having won the league, the Kenyan giants booked a place in the CAF Champions League (CAF CL), a ticket that will need them to retain their best players as well as add quality into the squad if they are to make it at least to the group stage, a feat never achieved by a Kenyan team.

That vision has already suffered a blow following the exit of Morrison to Sudanese club Al Merrikh, which adds to the efforts the club needs to put in the transfer market.