Five star Gor Mahia send Kagame Cup title warning with ruthless demolition of APR FC
Reading Time: 3min | Fri. 24.07.26. | 22:19
The Kenyan champions will be pleased to have avenged the 5-0 defeat they suffered against APR in Nairobi in 2009
Gor Mahia made a resounding statement in their opening match of the 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup after dismantling Rwandan champions APR FC 5-0 in a one-sided Group A encounter.
Goals from captain Michael Kibwage, Patrick Esombe, Paul Okoth, Lesley Otieno and Ebenezer Assifuah ensured Charles Akonnor's side began their campaign in emphatic fashion, taking control of Group A and boosting their hopes of securing the automatic semi-final spot.
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With the club chasing its first Kagame Cup title in 41 years, K'Ogalo entered the tournament determined to make a strong start.
APR, beaten finalists in the previous edition, were equally eager to lay down an early marker in their pursuit of a fourth regional crown.
The contest started at an entertaining pace with both teams showing attacking intent from the opening whistle.
APR fashioned the first meaningful opportunity in the 10th minute when Raouf Memel Dao met Cheick Djibril Ouattara's pass, but his effort sailed over the crossbar.
Gor Mahia responded five minutes later as new signing Okoth raced onto David Odhiambo's inviting delivery, only to fail to keep his effort on target.
Essombe then threatened midway through the first half after latching onto a loose ball on the edge of the box, but APR goalkeeper Ernan Siluane reacted quickly to deny the Ghanaian striker.
The Rwandan champions came close again on the half-hour mark when William Togui Mel headed over from Kouadiokan Amani's cross.
Gor Mahia eventually broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute.
Mohamed Siraj whipped in a teasing corner that found captain Kibwage, who rose above the defence to power home a commanding header.
The Kenyan record champions doubled their advantage just three minutes later through Esombe.
The forward unleashed a thunderous strike from the edge of the area that left Siluane with no chance.
Alpha Onyango nearly added a third before the interval after being released by Odhiambo, but his effort drifted narrowly wide as Gor Mahia headed into the break comfortably in control.
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The visitors continued from where they had left off after the restart and extended their lead in the 63rd minute.
Enock Machaka delivered a well-weighted pass into the area, Okoth to calmly slot past the advancing goalkeeper for his first competitive goal in Gor Mahia colours.
APR searched for a response, with Yunusu Nshimiyimana heading wide from Amadou Zon's delivery 20 minutes from time, but the Rwandans struggled to break down a disciplined Gor Mahia backline.
K'Ogalo added a fourth in the 80th minute when Shariff Musa produced a dazzling run before cutting the ball back for Lesley Otieno, who finished clinically from close range.
Substitute Assifuah completed the rout in the closing stages, reacting quickest to a loose ball inside the penalty area to fire home Gor Mahia's fifth and cap a memorable opening-night performance.
The emphatic victory sends Gor Mahia to the summit of Group A ahead of Vipers SC, who defeated Garde Républicaine 3-0 in the other group fixture, handing Akonnor's men the perfect platform as they chase regional glory.