Owalo: Gor Mahia’s true test lies in continental success

Owalo believes the current squad can emulate the legendary 1987 side that won the African Cup Winners’ Cup, after warding off AFC Leopards’ charge to clinch a record-extending 22nd Kenya Premier League crown.

Speaking during the club's luncheon on Tuesday, Owalo reminded the playing unit of the club's rich history, pointing out that despite their local dominance, continental success has been elusive for nearly four decades.

“Winning the league is the easy part. But now we are moving to the CAF Champions League. We have won the league 22 times now in total. But we have won a continental title only once, in the year 1987,” Owalo stated.

He challenged the current squad to replicate the legendary feat of the 1987 team, which famously captured the African Cup Winners' Cup (Nelson Mandela Cup).

"How I wish that come next season, we could replicate the feat that was achieved by the 1987 team by making our fans proud by winning the CAF Champions League this coming season."

To ensure the club is well-equipped for the gruelling demands of continental football, Owalo assured fans and stakeholders that the management is prepared to strengthen the squad.

He emphasized that the current team has a strong foundation, but technical adjustments will be made so that they can be able to manage both local league and the continental showpiece.

“We have got the capacity, the capability, the wherewithal—we have the players. Based, of course, on guidance from the technical bench working with the office, I believe that we will be able to strengthen the team in areas where we need a little bit of reinforcement,” he added.

According to Owalo, the pressure to perform in Africa is not just coming from the management, but from football fans across the nation who want to see K'Ogalo restore East African football to the high table of continental football.

“In fact, talk to anybody who is a sports lover today. They’ll tell you, 'You guys, winning the league is no longer out of the ordinary for Gor Mahia. We now want you to go a notch higher and win the CAF Champions League.' And I believe we can, can’t we?" Owalo challenged.

With the 2026/2027 continental campaign beckoning, Gor Mahia's focus shifts from celebrating local dominance to preparing a battle-hardened squad.

Having failed to replicate their domestic invincibility in past CAF interclub competitions, most notably in their last outing where they bowed out in the preliminary rounds following a crushing 6-0 aggregate defeat to Egyptian giants Al Ahly, the Ghanaian head coach Charles Akonnor faces the ultimate litmus test.

To break the group-stage jinx and write a new chapter in African football history, the Kenyan giants must navigate a demanding preliminary stage where they will need to overcome two separate opponents on a home-and-away basis.