Gor Mahia crowned 2023-24 FKF Premier League champions

Champions Again!

All Gor Mahia know is winning championships, and so they did for a second year running on Sunday, as they stood yet again on the podium, medals strapped round their necks , and with another piece of silverware to show, as they were officially crowned the 2023-24 FKF Premier League champions.

In a season where they needed to ‘run it back’, K’Ogalo, under the brilliant Johnathan McKinstry, kept up the standard, winning 21 out of 38 games, to extend their title count to a record magic number 21.

On Sunday - coronation day - Gor Mahia were asked to end their campaign on a “high, sweet note”, to which they did, drawing the curtains of a remarkable season with a gritty 4-3 victory over Bidco United, where they broke to a very fast start, seemed to wobble, but still closed out with a win - just as the doctor ordered.

Unlike the events of such a day last season - where K'Ogalo needed to win against Nairobi City Stars for the fear of a Tusker side on their rear-view mirror- Gor Mahia were under minimal calls to win the game, having wrapped up the championship a month ago - 19 May - with a 3-0 victory over Murang'a Seal.

But still, celebrating a league triumph with anything short of a win would have felt off, and more so the fact that one of their own was in a three-way duel for a golden boot, while the other, was on their touchline for the last time.

CHAMPIONS AGAIN: Gor Mahia clinch 2023-2024 FKF Premier League title

The start to the game was in itself a statement, as forward Benson Omala, leading in the top-scorers chart ahead of Kenya Police's Tito Okello and John Makwatta of Kariobangi Sharks, scored twice within the first six minutes to see Gor Mahia race to a 2-0 lead.

The Kenyan international, who last season narrowly missed out on the prize to Elvis Rupia, scored his first goal in the first minute, before converting the second from the spot after being fouled inside the area.

With his tally going up to 19, the race for the golden boot was effectively over, much so when the news of Okello being forced off Police's game with Sharks filtered through, with Makwatta failing to make more ground.

Bidco, as often the case, made life difficult for Gor, as they rallied back with two strikes from John Kelwish Walubuka, before young Mark Shaban got from the bench to score in the 89th minute.

A fourth then came from right back Rooney Onyango, with Bidco scoring a late consolation through Jacob Onyango.

Another win, another three points, McKinstry would say at the end of the game, only that this was his final one on the Gor Mahia technical bench, as he now embarks on national team duty with Gambia.

Having led Gor Mahia to two championships in previous years, the win also felt as one dedicated to him.

In among the celebrations, also a route to next season's CAF Champions League!