Lead image for 10-Man Gor Mahia edge Al Hilal on penalties to storm CECAFA final.
Gor Mahia booked a place in the final of the 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup on Tuesday by beating Sudan's Al Hilal Omdurman 8–7 on penalties, after a thrilling 1–1 draw at the Kigali Pele Stadium following extra time.
The Kenyan champions took the lead with an own goal, but Ansumana Samura equalised for Al Hilal late in the first half.
The closely contested semi-final remained deadlocked throughout regulation and extra time, forcing the match to be decided by a penalty shootout. K'Ogalo held their nerve to secure a memorable victory.
Gor Mahia's task became even more challenging when midfielder Jackson Dwang was sent off at the end of normal time, leaving coach Charles Akonnor's team to play the full 30 minutes of extra time with only ten players.
This victory takes Gor Mahia, also known as K'Ogalo Nyamrithi, to their first CECAFA Kagame Cup final since 2015, when they lost 2–0 to Tanzania's Azam FC.
K'Ogalo will also have the opportunity to end their 41-year wait for the regional title, having last lifted the trophy in 1985. Their previous triumphs came in 1980, 1981 and 1985.
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The second semi-final, scheduled for Tuesday night, between South Sudan's Jamus Sports Club and Rwanda's Rayon Sports, will determine Gor Mahia's opponents in Friday's final.