Gor Mahia eager to play in the big league
What you need to know:
- Kenyan giants now guaranteed at least Sh27.6m.
- K’Ogalo eliminate SuperSport of South Africa to enter group stage of competition.
Gor Mahia captain Harun Shakava has hailed his teammates after advancing to the group stages of the Caf Confederation Cup on Wednesday night.
The 16-time Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia ended a long wait for a group stage appearance in Africa in style, edging out South African side SuperSport United on away goals after a 2-2 aggregate despite a 2-1 defeat in their return leg in Pretoria.
K’Ogalo progressed thanks to an away goal by Francis Kahata at the hour mark to eliminate the well sponsored South African side who were losing Confed Cup finalists last year.
The winger cancelled Shakava’s own-goal before Thabo Mnyamane restored SuperSport’s lead in the 68th minute but the visitors held on to squeeze through.
Gor are guaranteed $275,000 (about Sh28 million) cash reward from Caf for just reaching the last 16. The competition winners will collect a cool $1.24 million (Sh125 million).
The draw for the group stage will be held on Saturday at Caf headquarters in Cairo.
“The journey wasn’t easy, but we worked as a team and that’s all that made us qualify despite the challenges. This is history made after many years of waiting. We can't wait for the group stage,” Gor captain Shakava told Nation Sport.
“The South Africans came guns blazing from the word go but we contained the pressure and despite conceding an own goal, we gallantly fought on,” added the 24-year-old who captained Gor for the fifth continental clash since taking the armband after the departure of Musa Mohammed in January.
“I am happy to be living the dream at this club. I wanted to win the league and help them on the continental front, I am delighted that my goal made the difference,” said Kahata, who joined K’Ogalo from Albanian side KF Tirana two seasons ago.
Gor coach Dylan Kerr knows the journey is far from over but in him lies a motivator and leader who joins a long list of memorable coaches in K’Ogalo's rich history.
“We had character, heart and a winning attitude against SuperSport United,” the Briton, who lost only his third match since taking over the team in July last year, said.
“More matches, more exposure for the players, more money, we are in a learning process and we are braced to take on the challenge,” he concluded.
Gor Chief executive officer Lordvick Aduda called on well-wishers to support the club.
