FKF Premier League champions Gor Mahia will kick off their hunt for a fourth CECAFA Kagame Cup title when they face Zambian side Red Arrows in their opening Group B clash at the Azam Complex Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.K’Ogalo, who last lifted the trophy in 1985 – beating AFC Leopards 2-0 in the final – will for the first time play a competitive match under newly appointed head coach Martins Neiva, who came in last week as a replacement for former head coach Johnathan McKinstry.Final Touches ahead of tomorrow’s game🟢⚪️ pic.twitter.com/NG9WRCvX5h— Gor Mahia FC Ke (@gormahiafcke) July 9, 2024 While Brazilian samba has been promised for their fans, Neiva, speaking ahead of the 2100 EAT kickoff live on Azam Sports HD, said that Red Arrows – the only guest side in the regional tournament – will offer tough opposition due to their physicality.”Red Arrows will be challenging,” Neiva said. “They are a very strong side but I am satisfied by the attitude of our players. Of course, I cannot change everything in the team so quickly, but we will improve step by step.”This will be the first time the two sides will be meeting, and both of them will want to register their first wins over each other, while also sharpening their skills ahead of their respective participation in the CAF Champions League.Gor Mahia, who traveled to Tanzania without mercurial midfielder Austin Odhiambo, will however call on the services of their three new players; Samuel Kapen, Chris Pius Akena, and Gedeon Bendeka as they seek to take an early lead in their pool.New signings headline Gor Mahia travelling squad for Kagame CupRed Arrows is coached by Chisi Mbewe, who was also in charge of Zambia national team in the COSAFA games, when they suffered a 2-0 defeat in the hands of emerging stars of Kenya and will be keen not to lose to a Kenyan side again.In the other group tie, Al Hilal of Sudan will play Telecom FC of Djibouti at the same venue from 1800 EAT.Speaking ahead of the tournament, Gor Mahia center-back Sylvester Owino told Mozzart Sport: “It is possible to win it. We have a good squad and the team has prepared well. We are coming up against good teams in the group but we are equal to the task.”We are favourites to clinch CECAFA Kagame Cup, says Gor Mahia defenderPhilemon Otieno, on the other hand, said that K’Ogalo, by virtue of being a big team, are ready to win, and aim to top the group.Other teams seeking for a fourth title like Gor, include Rwanda’s APR FC and Uganda’s Sports Club Villa.##NAJAVA_MECA_8203995##
