Ecstasy, Joy Marks Gor Mahia SPL Coronation In Machakos Party

MACHAKOS, Kenya- Eighteen was the magic number on Saturday when captain Harun Shakava lifted the giant SportPesa Premier League (SPL) trophy to crown Gor Mahia FC as the 2018/19 champions in Machakos.

Before the carnival atmosphere erupted into ecstatic celebrations within and outside the Kenyatta Stadium, there was the secondary matter of a match against Posta Rangers FC.

Gor fans once again serenaded their heroes for holding on to the biggest prize in local football and showed it with their continuous singing through the rather cagey encounter that ended 1-1 when Bernard Ochieng for the champions and Peter Nganga traded the goals. 

Since Wednesday, when Hassan Oktay and his men confirmed they would retain their crown to extend their all time record to the unprecedented 18 league honours, the excitement and pride has been building up a storm among the passionate Green Army faithful.

In a fashion only the fans of the best supported club in the country can conjure, Machakos was invaded by hundreds of crazed Gor devotees who turned the town into a sea of green and white.

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The sometimes deafening racket, manic cheer, colour and pomp only they can brew is one of the enduring reasons behind their unmatched success.

Everything involving Gor is grand and for the first time, Machakos got a taste of what this mighty outfit is all about. Residents will never forget how their largely quiet town, the seat of Machakos County in eastern Kenya, was transformed into bedlam, chaos and above all, a footnote in the country's football history.

Jubilant Gor Mahia FC players celebrate with the SportPesa Premier League trophy following their clash against Posta Rangers FC in Machakos on May 25, 2019. PHOTO/SPN

Special day

As early as midday it was evident this was going to be a special day, organised to toast a team that has made all comers in the top flight bow to them in six of the last seven, and three successive seasons.

Emotional scenes were everywhere one looked, with Rangers players and staff sucked into the cauldron that was a display of Gor's might.

After all, the most decorated club in Kenya's history that increased the gap in the all time honours list to six above fiercest rivals AFC Leopards style themselves as Sirkal- that is government.

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Rangers gave Gor the traditional guard of honour before the game began and the fans on either side of the stadium went into song, chanting the K'Ogalo anthem with pride and respect for the greatness their team has shown throughout the season.

The noise in the stands was not focused on the slow paced match but rather the historic occasion that brought all the fans together to congratulate their team on a record-extending 18th league triumph.

Gor super fan Jaro Soja led a motorcade of half a dozen green army supporters on motorcycles as they blared their horns and cheered loudly in and around the stadium, a sight that Turkish tactician applauded with a huge grin on his face.

After the final whistle, the screams only got louder as the moment they had all been waiting for had arrived, the 2018/19 champions were set to line up on the pitch to be handed their winners medals for a third consecutive season. 

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For skipper Shakava, the latest triumph saw him become the most decorated player in the domestic top flight, having won the league five times with Gor. 

The entire team was gifted with medals as the ecstatic fans watched on, still singing loudly and cheering the players as they shook hands with the football dignitaries and SportPesa officials on the stage before being handed the trophy.

Green ribbons

The majestic looking trophy, decorated in green ribbons was presented to the captain who hoisted in the air and was joined in song and dance by his teammates, who all deserved to savour the moment for their efforts.

Rwanda international, Jacques Tuyisenge (centre) and his teammates dance during the title celebrations for Gor Mahia FC during their coronation as 2018/19 SportPesa Premier League champions  following their clash against Posta Rangers FC in Machakos on May 25, 2019. PHOTO/SPN

Record Kenyan goal scorer Dennis Oliech was the only absentee from the squad that has toiled throughout the season in their traditional green and white, before eventually being crowned champions.

It did not take the fans too long to join in on the party on the pitch as they sang through a lap of honor before hundreds of them swarmed the turf to take pictures and congratulate the unrivaled class of 2019.

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Coach Oktay and his second in command and former Gor skipper, Zedekiah 'Zico' Otieno were sprayed with bottles of water by their players and they took turns to lift their tacticians in the air, as a gesture of appreciation for guiding them to league glory.

The traveling fans left the stadium together still blowing whistles, singing and dancing as they spread their joy into the usually quiet and peaceful streets of Machakos town.

Their justified celebrations could only continue to tell the story of arguably the greatest football club in the land that will no doubt be back again next season to hold on to the crown that to their passionate fans, is only theirs to lose.

The ocassion was also a fitting backdrop to some of the stars who are set to depart the club, including record signing and top scorer, Rwanda international Jacques Tuyisenge who came on in the second half following the news he is the subject of a KSh15m bid from Angolan giants, Petro Atletico with a rumoured signing on fee of KSh2m to the player.

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Shakava and midfield lynchpin, Francis Kahata as well as regular Philemon Otieno are other players in the title winning outfit whose futures at Gor are subject of speculation.

Elsewhere, 2008 winners, Mathare United FC moved up to fifth with a 1-0 victory at Chemelil Sugar FC as 10-man Nzoia Sugar FC held high-flying Sony Sugar to a barren stalemate but on the day, it was all about Gor, the supreme SPL kings.