Gor Mahia: 5 Key Players Facing Uncertain Futures After Nightmare Season

Gor Mahia players Philemon Otieno, Austin Odhiambo and Alphonce Omija face uncertain futures at the club. Photo: Gor Mahia

Gor Mahia: 5 Key Players Facing Uncertain Futures After Nightmare Season

Joel Omotto 13:30 - 30.06.2025

Following Gor Mahia’s unsuccessful 2024-25 campaign, who is likely to leave either for paid ranks abroad or to create room for new arrivals?

Gor Mahia are smarting from a painful season when they finished second in both domestic competitions that they were widely expected to win.

K’Ogalo lost out the FKF Premier League title to Kenya Police two weeks ago and their remaining hope of silverware went up in smoke when they were beaten 2-1 by Nairobi United in the FKF Cup on Sunday.

It means K’Ogalo end the season trophyless, having claimed back-to-back league titles in the previous two campaigns.

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Following the conclusion of the season, a review of the campaign is set to be conducted, which will see some players leave while there are also those who have impressed amidst the struggles and put themselves in the shop window from other clubs abroad.

So, who could find himself joining paid ranks abroad or dumped by K’Ogalo?

Austin Odhiambo

Austin Odhiambo.
Gor Mahia face a battle to hold onto midfielder Austin Odhiambo. IMAGE/ FKFPL

The last player Gor Mahia would want to lose, midfielder Austin Odhiambo has been the driving force at the club for the last three seasons with his goals and creativity leading them to success.

Odhiambo was crucial to their two league titles in 2022-23 and 2023-24 and has also played a part in their runners-up finishes in the league and cup this term, ending up as the club’s top scorer.

In a season when strikers disappointed, Odhiambo stepped up, providing goals and assists and just like the end of last season, Gor Mahia will find it difficult to keep hold of him with reported interest from Belgium, Tanzania and Rwanda.

Alphonce Omija

Alphonce Omija explains reason he initially walked out on Gor Mahia in 2019
Alphonce Omija (right) has attracted interest from clubs abroad. Photo || Courtesy Alphonce Omija explains reason he initially walked out on Gor Mahia in 2019

Defender Alphonce Omija made a surprise decision to return home before the start of the just ended season after a short stint at Oman’s Dhofar Club and it has paid off.

Omija, who came through the ranks at Gor Mahia, has seen his impressive performances on his return earn him senior national team call-ups and has now put himself in the frame for another move abroad.

The defender is reported to be on the radar of Middle East clubs and he can enhance his chances if he gets a Harambee Stars call-up for the CHAN 2024 tournament and performs well in August.

Philemon Otieno

Gor Mahia vs Nairobi United
Philemon Otieno might have played his last game for Gor Mahia.

Club captain and one of the longest-serving players at the club, having joined in 2017, right-back Philemon Otieno looks to have come to the end of his stay at K’Ogalo.

Otieno was almost jettisoned in January after his contract expired in December 2024 but the uncertainty surrounding Ronney Onyango, leading to his eventual departure, promoted Gor Mahia to extend his deal until the end of the season, but after the poor campaign, it looks like a parting of ways is inevitable.

Ernest Wendo

Gor Mahia has axed several players in a massive overhaul of the squad.
Ernest Wendo in action for Gor Mahia. Photo/Gor Mahia Gor Mahia has axed several players in a massive overhaul of the squad.

Gor Mahia’s longest-serving player Ernest Wendo is another big name who looks to have played his last game in the famous green jersey.

Wendo, who has seven league titles since joining in 2015, was also close to exiting in January following the end of his deal last December but was given a six-month extension which has now expired.

All indications point to a departure from the club that he has served so diligently for the last decade.

Chris Ochieng

Gor Mahia's Chris Ochieng (left) could find himself pushed out of the club.

Striker Christopher Ochieng was the man who was set to share the goalscoring burden with Benson Omala but he has not covered himself in glory since signing for Gor Mahia from Bandari in 2023.

In fairness to him, he was a bit-part player in his first season with the form of Omala making it difficult to dislodge him, but when the latter left for what proved to be an unsuccessful stint in Lebanon, an opportunity arose.

However, Ochieng has not grabbed it with both hands as he ended the season with just three league goals and the former Mathare United and Tusker FC striker could find himself pushed out to create room for new arrivals.