Gad Mathews Bids Emotional Farewell as Gor Mahia Era Ends

Seven years, three league titles, one Golden Glove, and countless decisive saves later, Gad Mathews has closed the Gor Mahia chapter of his career.

The veteran goalkeeper confirmed his departure at the end of his contract with a raw, heartfelt message on Facebook, drawing a firm line under a period in which he grew from promising shot-stopper to K'Ogalo mainstay.

“I came in as a boy but left as a man. Saying goodbye is never easy, but I couldn't be more excited for your next adventure as a club,” he wrote, before turning directly to the supporters who had adopted him as one of their own.

“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.”

For a goalkeeper, that bond is everything. Mathews had it with the terraces, with the dressing room, and with a club that trusted him to guard its most precious commodity: winning.

From Kisumu to K'Ogalo’s No. 1

Mathews arrived at Gor Mahia from Kisumu All Stars ahead of the 2019–2020 season, having previously turned out for Kariobangi Sharks and Western Stima. He did not come as a marquee signing. He left as the first name on the team sheet.

He quickly cemented himself as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper, his rise powered by a mix of consistency, authority in the box, and a calm presence that steadied Gor Mahia through multiple title races.

Those qualities underpinned a haul of three FKF Premier League titles, capped by the club’s record-extending 22nd league crown in the recently concluded 2025–2026 campaign. Mathews was not just along for the ride; he was one of the pillars of that dominance.

The Season That Defined Him

Every long-serving player has a season that crystallises their legacy. For Mathews, 2022–2023 did exactly that.

He finished the campaign with 17 clean sheets, form that earned him the FKF Premier League Golden Glove. He shared the award with Humphrey Katasi, then at Nzoia Sugar, but the numbers told only part of the story. Week after week, Mathews provided the platform for Gor Mahia’s attacking flair to flourish, shutting games down when it mattered most.

If the Golden Glove was the statistical high point, the emotional peak had come earlier.

In the 2021 Mozzart Bet Cup final against arch-rivals AFC Leopards, Mathews stepped into club folklore. The match went to penalties, tension thick in the air. He made two crucial saves in the shootout, turning a knife-edge contest into a 4–1 victory and delivering the trophy.

The performance earned him the tournament’s best goalkeeper award. More importantly, it etched his name into the memories of Gor Mahia supporters who live for days like that.

Club Tribute and a New Guard

Gor Mahia marked his exit with a public tribute of their own, also shared on Facebook, acknowledging the scale of his contribution.

“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!”

The words matched the tone of a club that knows it is losing more than just a player. It is losing a standard-setter.

But football does not pause. As one era ends, another has to begin.

Gor Mahia have already moved to reinforce their goalkeeping department for the 2026–2027 season, signing two men who know all about clean sheets: Humphrey Katasi, now arriving from AFC Leopards, and National Super League Golden Glove winner Michael Onyango.

Katasi, the man who once shared the top-flight Golden Glove with Mathews, now walks into the dressing room he used to face from across the halfway line. Onyango steps up from the second tier with a reputation for reliability and sharp reflexes.

They inherit a jersey that has known pressure, trophies, and expectation. Mathews helped define that standard. The question now is simple: who will be the one to match it?