Governor Sospeter Ojaamong has saluted Kenyan Premier League Champions Gor Mahia FC after qualifying for the money bracket stage of the CAF Confederation Cup after beating South African champions Super Sports United on away goal rule.
Ojaamong said Gor's triumph in the match is a clear indication that Kenya has great talent which when tapped can propel the country to the international football map.
The match was played at the famous Lucas Moripe Stadium in Johannesburg on Wednesday night.
Gor Mahia traveled to South Africa a few hours to kick off on Tuesday night after near failure and impending CAF ban but they defied all odds to lose 1-2 but qualified on goal rule following their 1-0 win in the first leg a fortnight ago.
The governor said the win against the 2017 runners-up who lost to TP Mazembe of Democratic Republic of Congo in the finals was a testimony that Kenyan football is on the rise despite the country's lower FIFA ranking.
"My government is taking sports seriously. With my new cabinet in place, I am seeing the county emerging a sports powerhouse in the very near future," he said at his office.
The emphatic win has entered Gor Mahia into the money bracket where they are assured of Sh27 million for just qualifying for the league phase of the championships.