Mummies boys who dazzled football pitches

Mama Oliech and Denis Oliech [Photo: Courtesy]

A few days later in early 1982, Gor Mahia lost to an unknown Magascan club Dynamo De Fimia.

According to Philip Oyoo, those perceived by fans and officials to be ringleaders or saboteurs were Mike 'Machine' Ogolla, Allan '90 Minutes Man' Thigo, George Ayuka and Andrew 'Singh' Obunga.

According to Oyoo, his friend Francis Ayuka, brother to George Ayuka, gave a clearer version of what transpired; Gor Mahia players were not happy after they were not accommodated at their known luxurious Mayfair Hotel to Lenana School.

They voiced their displeasure, which was not accepted by the no-nonsense chairman, Zack Mbori. He was not amused by the sit-in occasioned by players while at Lenana School situated at the edge of Ngong Forest.

Mbori drew his list of ringleaders and showed them the door. Many were expelled and some had their carers come to an end.
The expulsion of Gor Mahia players brought out another angle where mothers came out in defence of their sons.

Although players like George Ayuka later joined other clubs, their mothers came together and issued a collective statement to the club.

They visited Kisumu's media bureaus and expressed their dismay around the club's decision to expel their sons who they believed had done a lot for the community.

The ladies believed their sons loved football (read Gor Mahia) but were now being seen and treated as pariahs in the community.

Led by Mama Ludia Obunga and Mrs Alice Ayuka Owuor, aka Mama George, they were ready to apologize on behalf of their sons and indeed they strongly pleaded their case. Their commitment to intervene on behalf of their sons was a clear indication of how parents can go out of their way to defend football stars.

The legendary narrative around Daniel Nicodemus Arudhi easily comes to mind.

Famous as a footballer and infamous as a known Nairobi night robber, Arudhi became an easy target for police reservist Patrick Shaw. The burly cop and crime buster would occasionally arrest the footballer and frog match him to Salome's nyama choma joint at Kariokor Market.

With his heavy down south Australian accented English, he would burst out "if you don't warn your son to stop stealing, I will shoot him. I know he plays football for Kenya but I do not care, I will shoot him, tell him to stop".

He would then demonstrate his anger by shoving poor Arudhi to the ground in front of his mother.
The poor woman would beg Shaw not to kill her only son. She spent many hours pleading with the son to stop robbing people in vain.

As fate would have it, Arudhi was shot dead by Shaw after a robbery incident in Pangani.
It is interesting how women become more emotional with the activities of their sons. Their intervention is more spontaneous compared to men.