FKF Premier League champions Gor Mahia have bowed out of the CECAFA Kagame Cup without a win, following their 2-0 loss to Al Hilal of Sudan.
Gor Mahia began the tournament with a 1-0 loss to Red Arrows of Zambia and followed it up with a 1-1 draw against Telkom FC from Djibouti, which crushed their hopes of qualifying for the next round.
Speaking after his first game in charge, Coach Leonardo Neiva was critical of his side’s performance in the 1-0 loss against Red Arrows. Neiva highlighted key areas the team needed to address.
“I am happy with the behavior, the character, and the attitude. The players fight; they are fighters. On that point, I am very satisfied. But we have to improve a lot on ball possession, increase the short passes, increase the movement without the ball, and the harmony because we have new players,” he stated.
The FKF Premier League champions were knocked out of the tournament before the final group match as they could neither finish top of their group nor qualify as the best runners-up. The tournament consists of 12 teams divided into three pools, with the top teams and one best runner-up advancing to the semifinals.
Gor Mahia could only attain 4 points, while AS Villa in Group C had 5 points, putting them ahead of the Kenyan champions in the best runner-up spot.
APR from Rwanda topped Pool C with 7 points and had already booked a spot in the semifinals. In Pool A, Hay Al Wadi led the standings with 6 points after two rounds, while JKU and Coastal Union were tied on 3 points, with JKU sitting second due to a superior goal difference.
The elimination extends Gor Mahia’s wait for the regional title to 39 years. Their last participation in the tournament was in 2015, where they lost 2-0 in the final against Azam FC.
Gor Mahia’s focus will now shift to the CAF Champions League preliminary round, where they are set to face Al Merreikh in a two-legged tie. If they advance, they will meet CAF Champions League record holders Al Ahly in the next round.
Gor Mahia might start the season without Austin Odhiambo, who is likely to depart the club for Belgium’s K.A.A Gent. Other players rumored to be on the verge of leaving include experienced custodian Gad Matthews and other fringe players.
The club management has been working to bolster the squad ahead of the crucial CAF Champions League preliminary round through the acquisition of new signings and experienced players, including Samuel Kapen of Nairobi City Stars and Brian Musa from Posta Rangers.
Group B Standings
Former Gor Mahia treasurer Sally Bolo took to social media to voice her opinion on the team’s performance in the CECAFA Kagame Cup, noting that the coach is new and expressing hope for a positive trajectory going forward.
Gor Mahia returns to continental football after four years due to FIFA sanctions. In 2019, Gor Mahia managed to reach the group stages of the CAF Confederations Cup, underscoring their capability to perform on the continental stage.
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