Gor Mahia’s coach Charles Akonnor has expressed satisfaction in the performance of the team’s new signings in their 5-0 route over Rwandese Armée Patriotique Rwandaise Football Club (APR FC) in their opening Group 'A' match of the 2026 Cecafa Club Cup in Kigali, Rwanda on Friday evening.
However, the Ghanaian has warned his players against complacency following that impressive performance, stating that it is just the beginning of a busy calendar for the 22-time Kenyan champions.
“The new players, who were given a chance showed great attitude; we are very satisfied; very happy (with their performance) but that is not all,” Akonnor said in the post-match interview on Friday evening.
“It is just the second week (of the pre-season) and we believe that if we continue to train very well and give them (the new signings) the understanding on how they have to perform, process things on the field of play, we would be better. Yes today (Friday’s performance against APR FC) was a positive sign but it’s not over,” he added.
Since 2002, the tournament has been known as ‘Cecafa Kagame Cup’, thanks to its sponsorship by Rwanda’s president, Paul Kagame.
Twelve clubs are taking part in the July 24 to August 7 tournament, with the winner pocketing $30,000 (Sh3.8 million). The teams that finish second and third will receive $20,000 (Sh2.5 million) and $10,000 (Sh1.2 million) respectively.
The top team from each of the three groups will progress to the semi-finals, together with the best-ranked runner-up.
Making a return to the tournament after missing out last year, Gor Mahia were dominant in all sectors of the contest against APR FC, which was staged at the 45,508-seater Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.
Striker Paul Okoth, and midfielder Lesley Otieno made a dream debut with K’Ogalo by scoring a goal apiece on 73 and 79 minutes respectively of the match. Otieno came in as a second-half substitute.
New Gor Mahia goalkeeper Humphrey Katasi during a training session in Kigali on July 17, 2026.
Photo credit: Pool
Defender Michael Kibwage and forwards Patrick Essombe and Ebenezer Assifuah were also on target for the Kenyan champions against the Rwandese champions.
Paul Okoth joined Gor Mahia from Ulinzi Stars where he scored 18 goals to finish second in last season’s Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKF-PL) Golden Boot race. Otieno signed for K’Ogalo from Nairobi United.
Defender Daniel Sakari, midfielders Enock Machaka and Ghanaian Ebenezer Ocran and forward David Okoth are the other new signings, who did duty for Gor on Friday evening. Ocran came in as a substitute.
Last season, both Sakari and Okoth turned out for Kenya Police FC while Machaka was with Nairobi United. Ocran was unattached.
Goalkeeper Humphrey Katasai, who made a rare direct switch from AFC Leopards was an unused substitute in the match.
Given how Gor’s defence struggled in their 2-0 loss to Rwandese side Rayon Sports FC in a friendly match on Saturday last week in Kigali, Akonnor said he was impressed with how his side was solid against APR FC.
Dictating the midfield and being aggressive upfront, the 2025/26 FKF-PL Coach of the Season noted, were also crucial in his side’s victory.
“Our midfield structure was really good, they played how we wanted them to,” Akonnor said.
However, he noted that his players are yet to achieve top fitness level. Earlier on Friday, Uganda’s Vipers Sports Club thumped Djibouti’s Garde Republicaine 3-0 in the other Group 'A' match
Both Gor Mahia and APR have won the Cecafa Club Cup three times each. Gor Mahia’s last triumph was in 1985 when they defeated arch-rivals AFC Leopards 2-0 in the final held in Sudan.
Meanwhile, Tusker, who are Kenya’s only other representative in the tournament open their Group 'C' campaign on Sunday against heavyweights, Sudan’s Al Hilal SC at Amahoro Stadium from 3pm local time (4pm in Kenya).
Tusker are chasing for a sixth title having won in 1988, 1989, 2000, 2001 and 2008. Al Hilal have yet to lift the tournament’s title. Rayon Sports FC and Zanzibar’s Kikosi Cha Valantia Zanzibar are also in Group 'C'.
