Gor Mahia defender Joshua Onyango has explained why the club have been so bad this season ahead of the FKF Cup final.
Gor Mahia centre back Joshua ’Mangulu’ Onyango has explained why K’Ogalo have struggled this season, with the club set to miss out on the FKF Premier League title for the first time in three years.
Gor Mahia have been a shadow of their former selves this season, and unless they can win the FKF Cup final against Nairobi United next Saturday, it is looking increasingly likely that they will end the season without a major piece of silverware.
In the 2024/25 campaign, the team has dropped points in matches they were heavily favored to win, and even in victory, their performances have often lacked conviction.
)
09:00 - 11.06.2025
Harambee Stars Player Ratings: Who Shined in Benni McCarthy's First Win over Chad?
Debutant Emmanuel Osoro was among those who stole the show in Harambee Stars' clash with Chad.
PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Sports News in Kenya from Pulse Sports
This contrasts sharply with last season when Gor Mahia clinched the title with two games to spare, sitting atop the league with 67 points and having conceded just 15 goals.
This season, they have already conceded 21 goals and are second in the standings with 55 points, with Kenya Police FC needing just one point from two matches to claim the title.
)
21:33 - 10.06.2025
Confusion Surrounds Harambee Starlets Coach Beldine Odemba
Confusion surrounds Harambee Starlets coach Beldine Odemba after she named Kenya’s squad for the CECAFA Women’s Championship.
Onyango: ‘Too Many Philosophies, Not Enough Stability’
)
Speaking to Mozzart Sport, Onyango—who has been a defensive mainstay for the past two seasons—pinpointed tactical inconsistency and frequent coaching changes as key contributors to Gor Mahia’s downturn.
“The philosophy has changed. Last season, we were more defensive and caught teams off guard on the counterattack,” he said.
“This season, there have been a lot of philosophies due to coaching changes, with the majority of them being attack-oriented.”
)
06:39 - 09.06.2025
Navasky Anderson Stuns With New Jamaican 800m Record
Jamaican runner Navasky Anderson set a new national record in the 800m, winning the Mission High Performance meet in Baltimore.
Gor Mahia have operated under four different head coaches this season: Leo Neiva, Sinisa Mihic, and interim stints under club legend Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno.
This managerial merry-go-round has, according to Onyango, disrupted the tactical identity and defensive solidity that defined their previous success.
Onyango also attributed their defensive struggles to the team’s shift toward a more offensive setup.
“We are playing more ‘modern football’, which is more attacking and with a high line,” he explained.
“That’s made us more vulnerable to the counterattack, which used to be our greatest strength.”
With the backline pushed higher up the pitch and an emphasis on attacking play, Gor Mahia have been repeatedly exposed by quick transitions—an irony not lost on a club that once thrived by using those very tactics.
Although the league title is slipping out of reach, Gor Mahia have a final shot at silverware when they face Nairobi United in the FKF Cup final. Victory would earn them not just Ksh2 million in prize money, but also a spot in the CAF Confederation Cup, offering both financial and continental incentives.
Failure to secure the trophy, however, would mark a disappointing end to a season that began with high expectations and is now remembered for instability and underperformance.