Gor Mahia, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League champions, kicked off their 2024 Cecafa Kagame Cup campaign with a 1-0 defeat against Red Arrows of Zambia in a Group B fixture played at Azam Complex in Tanzania on Wednesday night.

The Kenyan champions, who are aiming for a fourth regional title under new Brazilian coach Leonardo Martins Neiva, had previously won it in 1980, 1981, and 1985.

They fielded a strong squad, including newly signed Samuel Kapen from Nairobi City Stars making his debut.

Kevin Omondi started in goal, with Philemon Otieno, Geoffrey Ochieng, Joshua Onyango, and Alpha Onyango in defense.

The midfield featured Sylvester Onyango, Lawrence Juma, Musa Masika, and Shariff Musa, while Benson Omalla, the FKF Premier League Golden Boot winner with 19 goals, led the attack supported by Kapen.

After a goalless first half, the decisive moment arrived in the 76th minute when substitute veteran forward James Chamanga tapped home from an assist by Saddam Yusuf Phiri.

 Stout defence

Gor Mahia tried to equalize in the closing stages under the floodlights, but Red Arrows’ defence held firm.

At the final whistle, Martins Neiva began his tenure at K’Ogalo with a defeat, while Red Arrows moved into second place in their group, level on points but behind Al Hilal of Sudan on goal difference.

Speaking after the game, Martins Neiva acknowledged the loss and emphasized the need for improvement: “This was my first match in charge since joining the team, and there are things that I need to change and improve.”

He added, “It was a tough game for both teams. In the first half, the Zambian team controlled the game for the first 25 minutes, but we made adjustments and improved our balance. Overall, they played better than us.

“At halftime, we made further adjustments, and when we returned, we had more possession and circulation. However, it’s my first game, and they are unfamiliar with my methods, so we need more time to address our technical and physical issues.”

Red Arrows coach Chisi Mbewe expressed satisfaction with his team’s attitude in securing the victory over Gor Mahia and focused on preparing for their next match.

Opener showdown

In the Group B opener, Al Hilal, under veteran coach Florent Ibenge, defeated ASAS Djibouti Telecom FC 2-0.

Captain Mohamed Abdelrhman Yousif opened the scoring after 22 minutes with a well-taken strike that left ASAS Djibouti Telecom goalkeeper Kwame Baah with no chance.

Yousif added a second goal five minutes later.

Gor Mahia’s next fixture will be against Telekom FC at the same venue tomorrow at 4pm, followed by their final group game against Al Hilal on Tuesday, July 16.

The regional tournament, which began on July 9 with 12 teams, will conclude on July 21, with the top team earning a cash prize of US$30,000 (Sh3.84M), the runner-up US$20,000 (Sh2.6M), and the third-placed team US$10,000 (Sh1.28M).

The tournament is supported by Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame with an additional US$60,000 (Sh7.7M) specifically allocated for the cash prizes.