Glitz, pomp and colour as mighty Gor crowned champs!

Gor Mahia were on Saturday crowned Kenyan Premier League champions for the 16th time at the Kisumu County Stadium, an event marked by glitz, pomp and colour, as they added yet another piece of silverware to their bulging trophy cabinet.

Sony Sugar came ready for a fight and they gave it in plenty, making the contest end 2-2 but it didn’t matter to the ecstatic Gor Mahia crowd which included  Kisumu Governor Prof Peter Anyango Nyong’o.

The ever red- hot Meddie Kagere was once again the toast of the afternoon poking home a cross from George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo for Gor’s opener and later adding another, while George Abege and  substitute Yema Mwama put their names on the score-sheet for Sony, to make it 2-2 in an engrossing duel.

However, it was on the terraces where the fanfare was in abundant supply as thousands of the K’Ogalo nation broke into song, dance, and merry making, when the trophy was presented to the conquering  2017 squad.

Meanwhile, the 2008 champions Mathare United escaped the relegation axe on the final day, as Western Stima succumbed, joining Muhoroni Youth as the two teams who have been relegated.

A third team may join them in the second tier in the 2018 season depending on the political decision that may arise out of the turf nomination/ promotion wars pitting the league body, KPL, against the federation.

at the Kisumu County Stadium, a sea of green spilled onto the pitch as Gor captain Musa Mohammed was officially handed the 2017 Kenyan Premier League title.

And the draw did little to dampen the mood as the K’Ogalo faithful braved the scorching afternoon heat to spark the celebrations from the terraces.

“We deserve it. To finally lift the crown is my most special moment of the season. The real job is to hold on to it but right now we just want to enjoy it,” skipper Musa Mohammed,  also the longest serving player in the current Gor squad told Citizen Digital.

With their fans roaring on the stands, Gor hit the visitors early but that tempo dipped after the 30th minute to invite Sony into it.

High on confidence after bagging a first half double, Kagere should have notched a third only to take a huge touch on the ball as he raced at the goal after being fed through by Francis Kahata.

Boniface Omondi later whacked a ball against Dennis Oduor’s hand but his protest for penalty was waved away.

Jacques Tuyisenge had the chance to make it 3-1 when Walusumbi’s cross from the left found him in the box but his first touch was too strong and keeper Kevin Omondi picked it up.

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