Defending Kenya Premier League (KPL) champions Gor Mahia seem to still have their fire burning despite losing play-maker Francis Kahata to Tanzania’s Simba SC.
K’Ogalo have shown that they still have their chemistry and quality in the Cecafa Kagame Cup with two wins in their first two group matches. The 18 time Kenyan champions have already stormed into the quarter finals with their wins.
Gor Mahia coach Hassan Oktay praised his new arsenal after watching them impress and storm the quarter-finals of the ongoing Cecafa Kagame Cup with a 2-0 victory over Djibouti’s AS Port at the Umugunda stadium in Rubavu, Rwanda.
Substitute Boniface Omondi came from the bench to give Gor the opening goal in the 70th minute. He managed the feat with a solo effort after practically dancing through a swarm of AS Port defenders.
Omondi meanwhile had reacted quickest to a cross into the danger area from fellow sub Kenneth Muguna. And as AS Port defenders stood there ball watching, he stretched his right foot and stabbed home the ball past an advancing Nasradin Abdi, who was guarding the opposing goal.
[Read: Gor Mahia risks losing Kahata and Tuyisenge]
K’Ogalo had previously won against DR Congo’s AS Maniema 2-1 on Monday. The match against AS Port had seemed difficult for K’Ogalo who had just played Maniema 48 hours before. It was time for Gor Mahia boss, Hassan Oktay to give new signings a chance to play and they impressed.
First choice keeper Boniface Oluoch was dropped to the bench and replaced by another new signing in the frame of David Mapigano. Similarly, first teamers including captain Harun Shakava who reportedly is unwell, Charles Momanyi, Tobias Otieno, Nicholas Kipkurui and Boniface Omondi were all benched.
K’Ogalo are pooled in group D alongside Djibouti’s AS Port, DRC Congo’s AS Maniema and Zanzibar’s Kikosi Maalum cha Kuzuia Magendo (KMKM). Gor Mahia are currently grouo leaders with 6 points while in second place is AS Maniema who have 3 points. AS Port is third in the group with three points while KMKM are yet to register a point.
The Kenyan football giants already have a spot in the quarter finals despite having one match to play against KMKM.
Other Kenyan representatives at the tournament Bandari FC are third in Group B after managing two draws. However, they have a chance to salvage their fortunes when they lock horns with Tanzania’s Azam FC on Friday.
[See also: Gor Mahia reinforce squad ahead of new season]
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