Kenya Premier League champions Gor Mahia started their Cecafa Kagame Cup campaign on a winning note. K’Ogallo beat AS Maniema from the Democratic Republic of Congo 2-0 in the opening match in Kigali, Burundi.
It was a much changed Gor Mahia side still in the wake of 2 high profile exits after Francis Kahata’s move to Simba and the earlier departure of Striker Jacques Tuyisenge to Petro Atletico from Angola. The performance in the first half was disjointed as expected following the long lay off since the conclusion of the Kenya Premier League in May.
Hassan Oktay’s side, however, went ahead in the 23rd minute from a fierce shot from inside the box by Wellington Ochieng. The 2015 finalists added to their advantage early in the second half through Boniface Omondi clever finish from a Kenneth Muguna pass.
AS Maniema knew they had a mountain o climb and that task was made even harder after Mapumba Katomba Marcel suffered a serious injury and had to be stretched off the pitch.
Spotted a familiar face in the stadium..#CECAFAKagameCup2019 pic.twitter.com/Ddo5OHYxlw
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AS Maniema were awarded a penalty with 10minutes to play. Wellington Ochieng was adjudged to have committed a foul inside the box and was booked for the offense. Boniface Oluoch was sent the wrong way by Jeremiah Likwela and Maniema halved the deficit to set up a grandstand finish to the match.
Gor Mahia’s defense, however, held on to record the first 3 points in this years’ tournament. Up next for K’ogallo is a date with Ports FC on Wednesday.