Exclusive: Wendo Determined to Stretch FKF Premier League Title wins At Gor Mahia To Ten

Long-serving Gor Mahia midfielder Ernest Wendo is determined to beat all the odds and write history by extending his league title wins at the club to ten (10).

Wendo is the most successful active player in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) as he has won the title seven times in the last nine seasons with Gor Mahia.

Joining Wendo in the list of players, who have laid hands on the coveted crown seven times, are legendary forward George 'Blackberry' Odhiambo and former goalkeeper Bonface Oluoch.

However, what sets Wendo apart is, the fact that, he is still active and has won all his titles at Gor, unlike Oluoch and Blackberry, who won theirs at K'Ogalo and Tusker.

Blackberry, who was voted the competition's Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2010 won six titles at Gor before bagging his seventh at Tusker in 2021.

Oluoch, on the other hand, secured two titles at Tusker in 2011 and 2012 before winning five more at Gor between 2015 and 2021, when he hung up his gloves and subsequently, transitioned into coaching.

WENDO EYEING HISTORY

While a large chunk of players in the country's top tier can only wish to win at least a single league title before calling it a day, Wendo is willing to push his body to the limits in pursuit for three more league medals.

Despite being in his sunset days of his career and seeing limited game time at Gor, the burly midfielder is keen on serving the club for an additional three seasons.

The 34-year-old says he is not interested in winning the title with another club, nor does he foresee himself playing against Gor, a club he has also won a handful of Charity and FKF Cups with.

The hard-tackling midfielder revealed that he realised the ambitious chase for history was in his reach following their wins in the past two seasons under coach Johnathan McKinstry.

Before Gor won back-to-back titles under the Northern Irish tactician, Tusker had disrupted their dominance in the competition as the brewers won the league in 2021, with their victory in 2022 canceled by FKF.

However, the Green Army reclaimed the title and are in the race for a three-peat. Should it happen, it will be the second time for Wendo to win the title three consecutive times having done it in between 2017 and 2020.

"I believe I will stretch my league victories to ten before retiring. My wish is to do it at Gor Mahia. I have the strength to play three more seasons and help win titles for the club. I have no ambition to play for another club in the country at the moment," he told SportsBoom.com in a telephone interview.

WHY WENDO HAS BEEN TURNING DOWN OFFERS

Rarely do players past long at Gor Mahia especially after winning multiple titles, but Wendo has stood the test of time and loyalty.

Regional giants and other clubs have been knocking on the Gor Mahia door and leaving with the best players over the years. However, Wendo, who has witnessed generations come and leave the club, has been repulsing the temptation to ditch the K'Ogalo for greener pastures.

He says his allegiance to Gor stems from the trust the management had in him when they signed him as a budding player to compete with the best the team had in 2015.

Wendo, who was part of the dreaded squad that won the league unbeaten in 2015, said he couldn't downgrade by leaving the best club in the country for a lowly-ranked one.

"I joined the club when it had the best players not only in the country but region. Joining the club back then, was a sign that the management believed in me despite being very young. I have been getting offers over the years but I couldn't leave Gor for any other club. It doesn't mean that I have not been ambitious but there is no way I could have downgraded," he said.

HOPE FOR SECOND TITLE WITH HARAMBEE STARS

Besides piling up more league titles, Wendo is far from giving up on his dream to win a second title with Harambee Stars.

The midfielder was part of the squad that clinched the 2017 CECAFA Senior Challenge title, where Kenya beat Zanzibar 3-2 in the final staged at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.

The winner was decided through a penalty shootout following a 2-2 draw inside regular and extra time at the fully-packed facility, with Patrick Matasi being the hero as he saved three spot kicks.

Wendo, who is yet to formally announce his retirement from international football, is bidding for a final appearance on national team colours and possibly adding another medal to his rich collection.

"I am not the kind of a player, who gives up on dreams and plans easily. I still believe I have something to offer to the national team and even win another title with them," said Wendo, who hopes to transition into coaching later.