Record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia have exited the 2024 CECAFA Kagame Cup without winning a single match following a 2-0 defeat to Sudanese giants Al Hilal in their last Group B game staged at Azam Complex Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on Tuesday.Hilal got their goals through Salah Adele and Mohammed Rahman.Gor exited the tournament on Monday after APR and SC Villa played to a stalemate in Group C action. The result saw the Rwandan side progress to the semis as pool winners.##NAJAVA_MECA_8204431##Having lost their Group B opener 0-1 against Zambia’s Red Arrows, the Green Army played to a 1-1 stalemate against ASAS Djibouti Telecom and knew they needed nothing short of a win to avoid the ridicule of leaving the tournament without a win.Gor, who looked lost throughout the whole match, lacked the composure to keep up with the tempo of the game and constantly lost possession cheaply.Hilal smartly read the game and caused trouble whenever they approached the final third.The Florent Ibenge-coached side continued to be a threat whenever they crossed the halfway line, calling Gor goalkeeper Gad Matthews to task multiple times.Hilal, who had taken control of the game heading to the breather with scores tied at 0-0, came more energized in the second half.The Sudanese side managed to take the lead in the 55th minute through Salah Adele, who capitalized on a defensive mix-up to slot home past a hapless Gad.Wantaway Murang’a Seal goalkeeper aims to become Harambee Stars mainstayGor made a raft of changes after the goal, handing berths to some of the fringe players, but it was not enough to turn around the game as Hilal dominated.Ibenge’s charges’ free-flowing football paid off in the 80th minute when they doubled their advantage via Mohammed Rahman. Gor’s defense was again caught off guard.Hilal topped the group with a perfect record, having won all three matches, while Red Arrows are placed second with six points.What next for Gor Mahia Leonardo Martins Neiva, who was appointed head coach at the start of the month, is without a win in his first three matches but will have a chance to redeem himself when they head to the Coal City Cup in Nigeria.K’Ogalo are poised to meet seven-time Brazilian champions Corinthians in their opening match on August 2.They face Coton FC and Remo Stars in the preliminary stage, which will determine continuation in the tournament.The tournament, organized by the Enugu State Government, will have mouth-watering participation fees for teams, with Ksh 478,000 appearance bonus assured per match.The grand prize is capped at Ksh 4.7 million for the champions and Ksh 954,000 for the runners-up.Q&A: Soy United’s patron gets candid on club’s success and plans after achieving promotionK’Ogalo are using the tournament as preparation for the upcoming campaign, where they intend to win a third FKF Premier League in a row and reach the CAF Champions League group stages.
