Legendary Leopards defender Murila recalls Mashemeji derbies in his days
Former AFC Leopards player Josephat Murila speaks at Shauri Moyo in Nairobi on March 12, 2024.
What you need to know:
- Murila, 71, who now coaches and mentors youngsters, thinks the late Austin Oduor is perhaps the only player comparable to him in that position.
- The AFC Leopards legend was part of the great Ingwe side that won the Cecafa Cup three consecutive times in 1982, 1983 and 1984.
Arguably, Kenya’s best central defender, Josephat “Controller” Murila has said that during his days the Mashemeji derby was probably the most important feature of the league as it determined who would be the Kenyan champion.
“During my time between 1979 and 1987, the winner of the national league was either Leopards or Gor Mahia, because both teams had quality players that made them unstoppable even on the regional scene,” the retired Kenya and AFC Leopards legend told the Daily Nation Sport on Thursday.
Murila, who played 16 Mashemeji derbies, appreciates football fans who maintain that he was the best sweeper to have emerged from the East and Central Africa region.
He admitted that there were other good centre-backs, including the late Jared Ingutia, the late David Agoi, and Mickey Weche, who would have played better in that position, but were frequently moved to other positions.
Murila, 71, who now coaches and mentors youngsters, thinks the late Austin Oduor is perhaps the only player comparable to him in that position.
On Gor Mahia’s dominance, Murila said Leopards have not been preparing well for the big fixture like they did during his days.
“The players must know a derby is a different fixture, and they must be ready to play before a big crowd and deliver. They should believe they will win,” said Murila.
For 10 uninterrupted years, Murila remained the undisputed best sweeper in the country.
Three consecutive Cecafa titles
At his peak, in the 1970s and 1980s, Murila was practically unbeatable. He only got one yellow card in his career, playing against Power Dynamo of Zimbabwe in a Cecafa Club Championship match in Rufaro in 1982.
The AFC Leopards legend, who was voted the best player in East and Central Africa during the Senior Challenge Cup held in Nairobi in 1979, was part of the great Ingwe side that won the Cecafa Cup three consecutive times in 1982, 1983 and 1984.
He also won three straight Kenyan Premier League titles with AFC Leopards in 1980, 1981, and 1982.
Murila was in the Ingwe squad that won the league unbeaten in 1986.
He succeeded Daniel Anyanzwa at central defence at AFC Leopards.
He was a fast thinker, excellent at one-on-one situations, and Swiss clock timing that showed with his clean tackles.
He was a sprinter in his student days at Njoro High School. And so good was he in football, he featured for Nakuru-based side Abeingo FC as an attacking midfielder while still a student.
Murila joined Leopards in 1978, where he was first handled by Ugandan disciplinarian tactician Robert Kiberu.
The team was then composed of legendary goalkeeper Mahmoud Abbas, Wilberforce Mulamba, Joe Masiga, Tony Lidonde, Haggai Mirikau, Francis Kadenge, and Patrick Shilasi.
Murila marshalled the defence with composure and fast reaction, partnering Shadrack Oyando in the central position while the full backs included David Nate, Aziz Okumu, Moses Okwaro, Pius Masinza, Shilasi and Mickey Weche.
He played for Leopards for eight years before retiring in 1987.
