Gor Mahia’s Sunday afternoon clash against Posta Rangers at Nyayo National Stadium transcended the boundaries of football ,it was a match played with deep emotion, grief, and gratitude. It marked the club’s first fixture since the passing of their long-serving Patron, the late former Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, CGH, whose spirit and influence hovered powerfully over every moment of the day.

Earlier in the afternoon, hundreds of fans gathered at the Tom Mboya statue in Nairobi CBD for a candle lighting ceremony in memory of the late Patron, before making their way to Nyayo Stadium.

By the time gates opened, emotions were already running deep.An hour before kickoff, the atmosphere inside the stadium was charged with feeling. Gor Mahia players, the technical bench, and club officials took a slow lap of honour around the pitch, carrying the ODM @20 trophy , a powerful gesture of tribute and farewell to their departed Patron.

At the VVIP section, a lone seat was left untouched draped with Raila’s iconic cap, his traditional whisk, and a Gor Mahia jersey inscribed with the number 80. It was a powerful symbol of absence, respect, and remembrance for a man who served as the club’s Patron for over two decades.

Before kickoff, the referee signaled for a minute of silence. As players stood still, flares lit up the sky, and green smoke drifted across the stands. Some fans wept openly, others bowed their heads in quiet reflection. It was not just the beginning of a match , it was a collective farewell from a fanbase and a club deeply intertwined with its Patron’s legacy.

When the game finally began, the emotions seemed to weigh on both sides. Gor Mahia dominated possession but struggled to break through a compact Posta Rangers defense marshaled by two of their former players ;Kevin Juma shielding the backline and Musa Mohammed commanding from the heart of defense. Another familiar face, former Gor goalkeeper Peter Odhiambo, stood firm between the posts.

The first major chance fell to Esombe in the 20th minute, but the forward squandered the opportunity, choosing power over precision as his effort flew over the bar to collective groans from the stands. Posta Rangers absorbed the pressure well, staying disciplined in their low block and frustrating Gor’s attack until halftime.

After the restart, both coaches turned to their benches. In the 55th minute, Posta made a double change, bringing on Yakhama and Wasambo for Teddy Trevor and Eliud Lokuwam. Gor Mahia responded almost immediately, introducing Ben Stanley Omondi and Felix Oluoch for Fidel Origa and Esombe. The changes paid instant dividends.

Barely a minute after coming on, Ben Stanley made the perfect impact , Shariff Musa drove into the box from the left flank and delivered a teasing cross, which Ben Stanley nodded home with his first touch. He sprinted to the corner flag, celebrating emotionally as he donned a replica of Raila Odinga’s traditional hat, dedicating the goal to the late Patron amid thunderous applause.

Posta nearly equalized moments later, forcing Bryne Omondi into a fine save to tip over a dangerous free kick. Gor then made another tactical adjustment, withdrawing Kapen for Alpha Onyango to regain control in midfield.

The second goal came in the 72nd minute. Austin Odhiambo, was rewarded for continuous pressing, as he was gifted a blind pass inside the box and without hesitation found space and drilled home with composure to make it 2–0, sending the crowd into chants of “Jowi!” , a warrior cry long associated with Mourning..

Posta made further changes, with Bernard Ondiek and Lewis Shivachi coming on in the 77th minute, but the momentum had already swung heavily in Gor’s favour. Then, in the 80th minute (symbolically Baba’s age), the stadium lights dimmed, and fans turned on their phone torches, waving them in harmony. It was a stunning, emotional scene , hundreds of lights flickering as the chorus of “Jowi!” echoed through Nyayo Stadium, some fans couldn’t hide their emotions , tears dropping down the cheeks in remembering Patron Raila Odinga..

Fittingly, the final tribute came with another goal. In stoppage time, Felix Oluoch sealed the victory with a superb finish, rounding off a 3–0 win for Gor Mahia.

It was more than three points ,it was a statement of unity, remembrance, and renewal. Gor Mahia not only ended league leaders Posta Rangers’ unbeaten run but also climbed to third on the table, just one point off the top. Yet, on this day, the scoreline was secondary. The spirit of the match belonged to the man whose presence had guided the club for 21 years ; Raila Amolo Odinga – whose legacy continues to live on in the heart of the Green Army.