The early 80s

In 1980 , Gor Mahia while fielding most of the regulars who featuted the previous year started the year on a sound note by winning the East and Central Africa cup. On the continental scene , they featiterd in the Africa champions cup. After beating Horseed of Somalia in the first round, they lost to Bendel Insurance of Nigeria in the second round. Having won the first leg 2-1 in Lagos, Gor Mahia looked poised to win the second leg in Nairobi or at least force a draw which would enable them to advance. They appeared on their way to the quarter finals but with 5 minutes to go Bendel scored from a 30 yard free-kick to win the game 3-2 and advance to the quarter finals. Gor Mahia however retained the National league title. 

In 1981 , Gor Mahia , fielding an array of new signings who included attacking midfielder Gideon Hamisi , John Chore and Dino Kitavi retained the East and central Africa club cup when they beat compatriots AFC Leopards in the final played in Blantyre , Malawi. They also retained the National league.

1982. saw the departure of stalwarts Nashon Oluoch and Sammy Owino , two players who were considered the best in the club. Both went abroad for further studies. Added to this , Playmaker Alan Thigo retired after an illustrious career. Long serving Ugandan coach David Otti left for home and so did linkman Tim Ayieko. Following the departure of those stars , others like Sammy Onyango , Hamisi Shamba and Austin Oduor stepped to the forefront. Their shoes were however to large to fill . The club never recovered from the loss and failed to retain any of the titles they had won the previous year. On the continental scene they lost to Madagacscan side Dynamo de Fimia in the first round.

The following year so a resurgence for the club. Despite a slow start which saw them eliminated in the preliminary rounds of the CECAFA cup and after losing 3 out of the first 5 matches of the national league, they were rejuvenated by the arrival of British coach Len Julians. The club was overhauled and several new players who had been signed from relatively obscure provincial clubs made a big splash. Among them was goalkeeper David Ochieng "Kamoga" , probably the best goalkeeper ever to play for GorMahia, midfielders John Okello "Zangi" , Peter Ochieng "pierre" and Charles Otieno and strikers Hezborn Omollo and Abdallah Shebe. Under coach Julians the team played very attractive football and often left opponents bewildered with their brilliant interpassing play. The forwardline consisting of Shebe , Omollo , Hamisi and left winger Sammy Onyango was rampant scoring an incredible 80 goals in 36 league matches. That year the club won the league title , the first of 3 consecutive titles they won under Len Julians.

One of the biggest highlights of 83 came when Gor Mahia played a friendly match against British premier league side ,Norwich city. The Britons had expected to whitewash Gor Mahia as they did in an earlier tour in 76. This time it was Gor Mahia who silenced the visitors , winning 4-2. John Okello "Zangi" then only 18 played a superb game scoring twice while Gideon Hamisi and Hezborn Omollo completed the score.