Kenya’s football champions Gor Mahia wrote yet another beautiful chapter in their decorated history under the dark skies of Nairobi on Sunday evening at the Moi International Sports Center, Kasarani.
Gor beat Petro Atletico of Angola 1-0 in a crunch CAF Confederations Cup final Group ‘D’ match to storm to the quarterfinals, despite finishing the game nine men and without their head coach from the technical area.
Rwandan striker Jacques Tuyisenge once again lived to his reputation scoring the all-important goal from the penalty spot in the 57th minute after the striker Francis Mustapha had been hacked down in the six-yard box in full flight as he charged towards the enemy’s goal.
Two Kogalo players; Shafik Batambuze was red-carded in the 76th minute joining Ernest Wendo(first half) and head coach Hassan Oktay who had also suffered a similar fate.
The victory, however, came at a high price as lead midfielder Ernest Wendo was shown a red card in the first half while his head coach, Cypriot-Briton Hassan Oktay also suffered a similar fate just before the break, as his volcanic temper exploded in the face of match referee.
With the victory, Gor became the first and only Kenya club to sail to the quarters of Africa’s premier secondary club championship, and with it came a staggering sh38 million that will come in handy for the cash-strapped Kenyan giants.