Gad Mathews Departs Gor Mahia After Seven Successful Years

The post was simple, the message anything but.

“Came in as a boy but left as a man,” wrote Gad Mathews on his Facebook page, drawing a firm line under a seven-year chapter at Gor Mahia that helped define both goalkeeper and club.

For the record FKF Premier League champions, this is the end of an era between the posts. For Mathews, it is the close of a journey that began in relative obscurity and ended with medals, awards, and a place in K'Ogalo folklore.

A farewell from the heart

Mathews did not hide the emotion of the moment.

“Saying goodbye is never easy, but I couldn't be more excited for your next adventure as a club,” he continued, before turning directly to the people who filled the stands and sang his name.

“Thank you for the unforgettable memories and for being such a great home in the past seven years. The atmosphere may change, but our bond won't. All the best Mahia... And to the fans, you made me feel at home.”

No drama. No bitterness. Just a goalkeeper walking away with gratitude and a glittering CV.

Gor Mahia responded in kind, confirming on their own Facebook page that Mathews was leaving at the end of his contract and offering a tribute that underlined his importance to their recent dominance.

“Goalkeeper Gad Mathews departs the club following the conclusion of his contract; we extend our deepest gratitude to Gad for his dedicated service and professionalism. His contributions have been invaluable to our success journey. We wish him nothing but success in his future endeavours. Thank you, Gad and all the best!”

From Kisumu All Stars to K'Ogalo mainstay

When Mathews arrived from Kisumu All Stars ahead of the 2019–2020 season, he was not yet the commanding figure who would marshal Gor Mahia’s back line through multiple title runs. He had experience from Kariobangi Sharks and Western Stima, but Gor is a different kind of furnace.

He did not flinch.

Very quickly, he established himself as first-choice goalkeeper. His game was built on more than shot-stopping. Presence. Voice. Authority in the box. These became his trademarks as Gor Mahia chased – and caught – more history.

Across his time at the club, Mathews helped deliver three FKF Premier League titles, including the record-extending 22nd crown in the recently concluded 2025–2026 campaign. Those numbers matter at a club that measures itself in trophies, not seasons.

The Golden Glove and a cup final to remember

One season, in particular, crystallised his reputation.

In 2022–2023, Mathews claimed the FKF Premier League Golden Glove, keeping 17 clean sheets and sharing the award with Humphrey Katasi, then of Nzoia Sugar. Clean sheets rarely dominate headlines, but they win leagues. His did.

If that season showcased his consistency, one afternoon in 2021 showed his nerve.

The Mozzart Bet Cup final against arch-rivals AFC Leopards demanded a hero. Mathews stepped forward. In the penalty shootout, he produced two crucial saves, breaking Leopards’ resistance and steering Gor Mahia to a 4–1 victory and the trophy.

The reward was not just silverware. He walked away with the tournament’s best goalkeeper award and a permanent place in the club’s modern mythology.

End of an era, start of a rebuild

Seven years, three league titles, a Golden Glove, a cup final masterclass. When a goalkeeper with that résumé walks out, a vacuum follows.

Gor Mahia have moved quickly to fill it. The club has reinforced its goalkeeping department with the signing of Humphrey Katasi from AFC Leopards and National Super League Golden Glove winner Michael Onyango ahead of the 2026–2027 season.

There is a neat twist in that. Katasi once shared the top-flight Golden Glove with Mathews; now he steps into the space Mathews leaves behind. Onyango arrives with his own reputation for reliability, fresh from dominating the second tier.

The gloves, though, do not change hands lightly at a club of Gor Mahia’s stature. Mathews set a standard over seven years that will not be easily matched.

He came in as a boy, he says. He leaves as a man. The question now is simple: who will be brave enough to follow him into that goal and write the next chapter?