Sports

CECAFA Kagame Cup: Gor Mahia to face Sudanese giants Al Hilal in semis

Luke Oluoch 02nd August, 2026 02:59 PM

Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia have stepped up their preparations for the ongoing CECAFA Kagame Cup as regional rivalries heat up ahead of the decisive semi-final stage on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.

Gor Mahia, who topped Group A, is set to face Sudanese giants Al Hilal with a place in the final at stake. The players and technical bench were hard at work during Sunday’s training session in preparation for the high-stakes clash.

“We will be taking on Al-Hilal of Sudan in the semi-final match of the 2026 CECAFA tournament on Tuesday in Kigali, Rwanda, from 4:00 PM Kenyan time,” read an official update from the club.

Head coach Charles Akonnor and K’Ogalo have their work cut out against the Sudanese outfit, who qualified despite a narrow defeat to Rayon Sport in their final Group C fixture on Saturday, August 1, 2026.

Gor Mahia's Mike Kibwage (L) celebrates his goal against APR of Rwanda in the ongoing CECAFA Kagame Cup on Friday, July 24, 2026 at Amahaoro Stadium, Kigali. PHOTO/https://www.facebook.com/HusseinRashidMohammed — Gor Mahia’s Mike Kibwage (L) celebrates his goal against APR of Rwanda in the ongoing CECAFA Kagame Cup on Friday, July 24, 2026 at Amahaoro Stadium, Kigali. PHOTO/https://www.facebook.com/HusseinRashidMohammed

That match decided the group placements and set up the semi-final pairings. In the other semi-final, South Sudan’s Jamus SC—home to Kenyan international Joe Waithira—will face Rwandan giants Rayon Sport on the same day.

Squad and injury setbacks

Gor Mahia faces contrasts with the injury fortunes heading into the encounter. The club has been dealt a triple blow with three key players ruled out for extended periods following a series of injury setbacks:

Samuel Kapen: The winger suffered a complete anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear during the group match against Garde Républicaine of Djibouti and is expected to be sidelined for six to twelve months.
Patrick Essombe: The forward, who scored a brilliant goal against APR FC and delivered a crucial assist in the group stage, has been diagnosed with a torn ligament and will be out for two months.
Sylvester Owino: The newly unveiled Gor Mahia skipper will also be a miss after he suffered a right calf sprain and will also miss the next two months of action.

On a positive note, new signing Denis Omedi took part in his second training session with the squad on Sunday, August 2, having completed his first session in Kigali a day prior.