Hezekiah Wepukhulu
6 July 2008
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Nairobi — Former Gor Mahia chairman Zack Mbori took an unprecedented action 25 years ago by sacking the club's entire squad and withdrawing them from the African Club Cup championship on disciplinary grounds.
This followed the players' refusal to travel to Madagascar for the return-leg match of the African Club Cup Championship against Dyanamo de Fimia in Antananarivo in defiance of the club's order.
The Malagasy had earlier beaten Gor Mahia 3-2 at Nyayo National Stadium and the stage was set for the second-leg tie.
But Gor Mahia players had other ideas, declining to go to the camp at Lenana High School, claiming that the accommodation provided for them was not suitable for players of their stature. They described it as substandard and only good for students.
Mbori was not amused by the players' behaviour. It came like a thunderbolt from the skies. Embarrassed and dismayed, he took action, which stunned not only Gor Mahia's fans but also the whole country. He sent packing the entire squad.
The action was the talk of the town for several months because it was the first time a club official had taken such a bold action. Nothing like it had happened before in the country and it has never been repeated.
When the dust settled down, Gor Mahia talent scouts went looking for new players and, in a short while, an English coach, Len Julians, was hired. From the ashes, the Mighty Gor was reborn. The club was rejuvenated under Julians and did wonders by winning both the Kenya National Football League title and the East and Central African Club Championship.
To cap it all, the Gor made history by becoming the first club team from East and Central Africa region to lift the African Club tournament - later renamed Mandela Cup - in 1987 under a Danish coach, Jack Johnsson, who had taken over from Julians, who returned home on the expiry of his contract.
Gor Mahia dominated the local football scene for several years and remained one of the top community clubs in the land.
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