KSh22m SportPesa Midweek Jackpot Christmas For Die Hard Gor Fan Oimba

MOMBASA, Kenya- Christmas came a day early for life-long Gor Mahia FC fan Ezekiel Oimba when he became the latest millionaire after winning the SportPesa Midweek Jackpot. 

Oimba, who has supported the record 17-time domestic league winners and SportPesa Premier League (SPL) holders for over 25 years, was in high spirits on Monday morning when he was presented with his winners' cheque of KShs22,244,187 in Mombasa on Christmas Eve to set off his festive seasons celebration in earnest. 

Oimba believes that Gor can retain their title for a third season in a row despite the rocky start away to Bandari on the opening day of the SPL on December 8 in the coastal city where he was among hundreds who thronged Mbaraki Sports Complex to watch his side succumb to a 1-2 defeat.

"I'm still in disbelief after my recent turn of fortune. God has been good and I'm very blessed to have won this money. I love football and I've been a Gor fan since I was a young boy in my home village," the ecstatic Oimba told SportPesa News. 

He was born and raised in Migori County but relocated to Mombasa after getting a job with the Kenya Ferry Services where he plans to continue working despite his recent windfall that could not have come at a better time after he underwent a surgery on his spine in October following a road accident from two years ago. 

"I thank God for this money because now I can settle the debt I owe the hospital. In fact, I'm going to do that today," he offered. 

Real estate

The Midweek Jackpot winner who correctly predicted 13 games in last week's offering in the leading gaming platform was accompanied by his wife Lillian Atieno who is a primary school teacher and their four children to collect his cheque.

Oimba's lifelong dream has been to venture into the real estate business and is confident that with proper planning he will be able to achieve it. 

"We have no extravagant plans for our holidays. We will go to Migori to enjoy with the rest of my family. I can even fly all my children on a plane and I'm sure they will love the experience," he enthused. 

"Gor is the best team in the land, there is no doubt. It's sad that we were knocked out of the CAF Champions League but we will win the league this season and work towards the rest later. The development of football in the country has even seen our national team qualify for AFCON and that is a great achievement," the die hard supporter remarked.

The SPL winners crashed out of the continental club showpiece on the away goal rule after their two-legged first round tie against Lobi Stars FC of Nigeria ended 3-3 on aggregate while Harambee Stars will line up in the finals of the 2019 CAF Africa Cup of Nations next June.  

"I'm excited to be able to watch the tournament next year and cheer on my country," he added.

He lauded SportPesa for facilitating the landmark trip to Everton where Gor tested their might against the English Premier League side at Goodison Park on November 6.

"Watching Gor against Everton was simply amazing. This was a huge milestone for Kenyan football. Despite the 4-0 loss, it was an experience we will all cherish for a lifetime," Oimba stressed.