After winning the league in 1979, Gor Mahia had to watch on the sidelines as AFC Leopards became the first team to win the Kenyan league three times in a row between 1980 and 1982.

With seven league titles to their name compared to our four and Kenya Breweries’ three titles – our biggest rivals were in the bragging zone as the most successful club in the country.

The Gor Mahia squad by the end of 1982 was a mix of veterans and promising newcomers and had been rocked by internal politics among the players.

Something needed to be done to break the domestic dominance by AFC Leopards and hold off upcoming challengers such as Kenya Breweries and Scarlet FC.

The club recruited Briton Len Julians, a former Arsenal player, to oversee the rebuilding of the team. Most of the aging players were released and new upcoming talent recruited. Among these were midfield engine Charles Otieno from Kisumu Hotstars, exciting striker Abdallah Shebe from Feisal FC and Kenatco FC goal poacher.