Record Kenyan Premier Leagie champions Gor Mahia are through to the 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup final after defeating Sudanese side Al Hilal 8-7 in a dramatic penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw in normal time on Tuesday in Kigali.
The victory marked a significant moment for the Kenyan champions, who finally got the better of Al Hilal after falling 2-0 to the same opponents during the group stage of the 2024 edition of the tournament in Tanzania.
Gor Mahia complete sweet revenge against AL Hilal
Having fallen short in the previous meeting in 2024, K’Ogalo produced a composed display when it mattered most to eliminate the Sudanese club and move one step closer to lifting the regional title.
The result also keeps alive Gor Mahia’s hopes of ending a trophy drought in the CECAFA Kagame Cup that has stretched for more than four decades.
Beyond the pursuit of silverware, the tournament has provided head coach Charles Akonnor with an ideal opportunity to evaluate his squad ahead of the club’s CAF Champions League campaign.
The Kenyan giants reached the last four after topping Group A on goal difference, registering victories over APR FC and Garde Républicaine before suffering a narrow defeat to Uganda’s Vipers SC.
Their impressive run has, however, been overshadowed by the loss of winger Samuel Kapen, who sustained a serious anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury that is expected to keep him out of action for between six and 12 months.
Despite the setback, Akonnor’s decision to rotate his squad during the group stage paid off, with Gor Mahia looking fresh enough to navigate the knockout encounter against the Sudanese outfit.
The semi-final also pitted two teams with contrasting tactical philosophies. Gor Mahia relied on their attack-minded 4-3-3 formation, using adventurous full-backs to support the frontline, while Al Hilal, under coach Guy Bukasa, maintained their disciplined 4-1-4-1 setup built around a defensive midfielder shielding the backline.
With neither side able to find a winner during regulation time, the contest was settled from the penalty spot, where Gor Mahia kept their composure to claim an 8-7 victory.
K’Ogalo will now shift their attention to Friday’s final on August 7, where they are set to face the winners of the second semi-final between Jamus SC and Rayon Sports.
The championship match will be played at Amahoro Stadium, while the third-place playoff is scheduled to take place earlier on the same day.
Notable absentees
Defenders Bryton Onyona was been ruled out of Tuesday’s semi-final clash against Al-Hilal due to illness, this was according to the word by Team Manager Philemon Otieno.
The Team Manager confirmed that Onyona was taken to hospital and is currently receiving medical attention.
“Bryton has been unwell… He is currently under medication and will not be available for today’s match,” Philemon Otieno stated.
In Onyona’s absence, the left back task was handed to Mohammed Siraj who performed well against APR in the opening match.
Also not available, was midfielder Alpha Onyango missed the encounter after picking up a red card in the previous group-stage match.
Sylvester Owino, Patrick Essombe, Humphrey Katasi and Samuel Kapen were also all out with injuries.
Despite the setbacks, K’Ogalo remained confident of progressing to the final, with Akonnor having earlier emphasized the team’s belief and the “spirit of Gor Mahia” as key motivators. GorvMahia will be building on the impressive Rwanda outing heading into the new season.
