Gor Mahia depart Kigali for Kenya after CECAFA Kagame Cup final heartbreak

K’Ogalo are on their way home. After a competitive and ultimately frustrating campaign in Rwanda, Gor Mahia have posted a reflective farewell message as the squad leaves Kigali and heads back to Kenya.

The club’s social media update captured the mood: “Kigali, Rwanda was good to us, despite the hard luck on the final day. Until next time… Destination: +254 🇰🇪.” It was a fitting note after two weeks that mixed strong performances with one painful ending.

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The tournament run

Gor Mahia arrived in Rwanda as Kenyan Premier League champions and used the CECAFA Kagame Cup as both a pre-season exercise and a genuine tilt at regional silverware. They progressed through the group stages and produced one of the competition’s more dramatic moments in the semi-final, edging Sudanese giants Al Hilal 8-7 on penalties after a 1-1 draw that went the full distance. That victory, achieved while reduced to ten men for a significant portion of extra time, sent them into the final against hosts Rayon Sports.

The final at Amahoro Stadium proved a step too far. Rayon Sports took the lead, Gor Mahia fought back to level through Shariff Sabuni Sirengo, and the contest went into extra time. Daniel Muhoza then struck the decisive goal for the Rwandan side, sealing a 2-1 victory and ending Rayon’s own 28-year wait for the Kagame Cup. For Gor Mahia it meant runners-up status and a continuation of their long drought — the club last lifted the regional title in 1985.

Looking ahead

Despite the final-day disappointment, the campaign offered plenty of positives. Charles Akonnor’s side showed character, particularly in the penalty shoot-out win over Al Hilal, and gained valuable match sharpness and cohesion ahead of the new season. The experience of competing in a multi-nation tournament on the road will also serve them well as they prepare for the CAF Champions League campaign, where a tough draw already awaits.

The squad now returns to Nairobi to recover, regroup and shift focus toward domestic and continental preparations. Kigali provided competitive football, testing conditions and a final that will linger, but the overall tone from the club has been one of gratitude mixed with determination to come back stronger.

Safe travels home to the Green Army. The journey continues.