Lead image for Cecafa final run boosts Gor Mahia CAF Champions League dream.
Gor Mahia showed their famous fighting spirit, beating Sudan’s Al Hilal 8–7 on penalties after a 1–1 draw to reach the Cecafa Kagame Cup final on Tuesday evening.
And for Gor Mahia, this regional tournament is about more than just chasing a long-awaited trophy: it is also the ultimate test ahead of the CAF Champions League, whose preliminary round begins on September 14.
Ahead of Friday’s final against hosts Rayon Sports, in which Gor Mahia will be hoping to win the title for the first time in 41 years, head coach Charles Akonnor credited the players’ mental strength, confidence, resilience and self-belief for their dramatic semi-final victory over Al Hilal despite playing with only ten men. The Kenyan champions were also missing some of their key players.
Gor Mahia produced a spirited performance to beat the Sudanese giants. Meanwhile, Rayon Sports beat South Sudan’s Jamus SC 2–0 in the second semi-final, setting up a date with Gor Mahia at Kigali Pele Stadium at 8pm.
Al Hilal are among the sponsors of this year's Kagame Cup, having contributed Sh12.9 million to the tournament.
Akonnor praised his players for their determination, particularly after midfielder Jackson Dwang' was sent off late in the second half.
“My boys fought hard and it was all about mentality and resilience — I believe those are the key aspects that won us the game. I was really impressed by how we handled the match and the sustained pressure that came with it, and we made it to the final,” said Akonnor.
Following Dwang's dismissal, Gor played the remainder of regulation time and extra time with 10 men. Despite being a man down, they matched Al Hilal throughout and held their nerve in the shootout after Daniel Sakari missed an early penalty.