Kenyan champions Gor Mahia will bank millions after they finished second in the 2026 Cecafa Club Cup after losing 2-1 to Rwandan giants Rayon Sports Club at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on Friday evening.
Earlier at the same venue, Sudan’s Al Hilal Sports Club finished third following a 2-1 win over South Sudanese champions Jamus Sports Club.
For the victory, Rayon pocked $30,000 (Sh 3.8 million) while Gor earned $20,000 (Sh2.5 million).
Al Hilal received $10,000 (Sh1.2 million) for finishing third in the tournament that saw twelve teams take part in this edition.
In the final, substitute forward Daniel Muhoza scored Rayon’s winning goal in the 97th minute of extra time with a stunning overhead kick following a defensive lapse by K’Ogalo.
At the packed 45,000-Amahoro Stadium, Rayon took the lead in the 27th minute through Kameni Herman’ strike.
Gor equalised in the 53rd minute via Shariff Musa. With neither side failing to find the winner in regular time, the match went to extra time during which Rayon were the lucky side.
Rayon emerged champions thanks to Muhoza’s beautiful goal. It was the second Cecafa Club Cup title for the Rwandan side after their maiden victory in 1998.
Somali referee Mohammed Artan (centre) officiates the final match of the 2026 Cecafa Club Cup between Gor Mahia and Rayon Sport at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda, on Friday, August 7, 2026.
Photo credit: Pool
For Gor, their long wait to reclaim the title continues. Gor’s previous triumphs in the Cecafa Club Cup came in 1980, 1981 and in 1985. Friday’s final match was officiated by the 2025 CAF Men’s Referee of the Year, Omar Artan from Somalia.
Artan hit the headlines across the globe after he was refused entry to the United States of America to officiate the 2026 Fifa World Cup. US co-hosted the global championship with Canada and Mexico.
Playing in front of thousands of their home supporters, Herman fired Rayon in front after Gor failed to deal with a dangerous cross from captain Emmanuel Nshimiyimana.
Until the breakthrough, Gor had looked impressive but had yet created a clear-cut scoring chance. Their real chance came in the 41st minute when Ghanaian Ebenezer Adu-kwaw connected to a pass inside the box but his powerful shot went wide.
Gor’s defender Daniel Sakari had also impressed after he brilliantly beat two opponents on the left but he failed to pick a teammate with his cross.
At the stroke of halftime, Rayon thought they had doubled their lead through Muderi Akbar’s header but the goal was canceled after it emerged that the midfielder had handled the ball. He was booked for that offense. Looking to turn the results into his side’s favour, Gor’s coach Charles Akonnor made a triple substitution soon after the restart, with Ebenezer Assifuah, Ben Stanley and Bryton Onyona coming on for Paul Okoth, Ebenezer Adu-kwaw and Paul Ochuoga respectively.
Rayon Sports supporters during the final of the 2026 Cecafa Club Cup at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda on Friday, August 7, 2026.
Photo credit: Pool
The 22-time Kenyan champions received a timely lifeline in their chase for the title when Musa equalised eight minutes into the restart. After latching onto a long pass, Musa dribbled into the box, rounded a defender and unleashed a powerful shot which Rayon’s goalkeeper Dande Junior failed to block.
Moments later, Rayon made rested winger Elie Tatou for Daniel Muhoza.
As the match progressed, Gor continued to dictate the tempo, coming close to taking the lead through Alpha Onyango and Enock Machaka. While Onyango’s effort from the edge of the box blew over the bar, Machaka’s shot went wide narrowly.
At the other end, Gor’s goalkeeper Omondi blocked Herman’s header. Neither side could find the winning goal, forcing the match into extra time where Muhoza scores the decisive goal.
