CECAFA: Gor Mahia's pride on the line as they face on-form Sudanese giants Al Hilal in Kagame Cup

Gor Mahia's new signing Levin Odhiambo during training. Photo: Gor Mahia

CECAFA: Gor Mahia's pride on the line as they face on-form Sudanese giants Al Hilal in Kagame Cup

Joel Omotto 07:00 - 16.07.2024

Gor Mahia’s path to the Kagame Cup semi-final is already closed but they will be hoping to exit the competition with pride when they face the formidable Al Hilal of Sudan.

Gor Mahia will playing for nothing but pride when they host Sudan’s Al Hilal in their final group game at the CECAFA Kagame Cup in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on Tuesday.

K’Ogalo are virtually out of the running for a place in the semi-final after leaving themselves short against opponents they should have beaten in their first two matches.

Gor Mahia have one point from two games after starting with a 1-0 loss to Zambia’s Red Arrows before a 1-1 draw with Djibouti Telecom.

That means they can only get a maximum of four points if they pull off a victory against Group C leaders Al Hilal who have maximum points.

It is not an easy task, however, as Al Hilal have scored seven goals in two matches and won both of them without conceding. They beat Djibouti Telecom 2-0 before thrashing Red Arrows 5-0 at the weekend.

Their coach Florent Ibenge is, however, giving Gor Mahia respect even if his team appear favourites based on current form.

“It will be difficult, it is not because today we score five that it will be easy against Gor Mahia. I saw this team, they keep the ball, play football and it will be tough, we have to take it seriously,” said Ibenge after watching his side destroy Red Arrows.

Gor Mahia coach Martin Neiva has insisted the tournament is an opportunity to implement hi style on the squad but K’Ogalo fans will be hoping to bow out with pride.

At the tournament, the three group winners qualify directly to the semi-final, while the second-best team in any of the groups takes the last slot in the knock out stage.

Heading into the final round, Al Hilal and Sudanese counterparts Hay Al Wad, as well as Rwanda’s APR, have already qualified as group winners while Uganda’s SC Villa lead the list of second-best teams with five points from three group matches.

It means Gor Mahia do not stand a chance of advancing even if they win with Group C rivals Red Arrows with a great opportunity to dislodge SC Villa.

The Zambian side have three points, from their win over the Kenyan champions, and if they secure maximum points against Djibouti Telcom, they will move to six and clinch the final semi-final slot.