Gor Mahia are set to face Rwandan hosts Rayon Sport in the highly anticipated 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup final on Friday at Amahoro Stadium. This match offers the Kenyan side a chance to seek redemption after their earlier friendly defeat to the same opponents.
Gor Mahia secured their spot in the final by triumphing over Sudan’s Al Hilal SC, winning 8-7 on penalties after a gripping 1-1 draw in regulation and extra time at Kigali Pele Stadium on Tuesday. Despite playing the final 30 minutes of extra time with ten players due to Jackson Dwang’s red card, K’Ogalo displayed remarkable resilience.
Taking an early lead with an own goal in the 38th minute, Gor Mahia faced a challenge when Al Hilal’s Ansumana Samura equalized before halftime, pushing the match into a nail-biting shootout that Gor Mahia ultimately won.
In contrast, Rayon Sport advanced to the final with a solid performance, defeating South Sudan’s Jamus SC 3-1, maintaining their unbeaten streak throughout the tournament.
This final serves as a rematch of a friendly that took place during Rayon Sport’s “Rayon Day” celebrations at Kigali Pele Stadium last month, where the hosts claimed a 2-0 victory over Gor Mahia, signaling a new era for the club.
Gor Mahia views this match, along with their overall tournament experience, as crucial preparation for their upcoming 2026/27 CAF Champions League campaign.
Both clubs proudly hold three regional championship titles, but this marks Gor Mahia’s first appearance in the Kagame Cup final since 2015, when they faced defeat against Azam in Dar es Salaam.
In another matchup in Kigali, Al Hilal will compete against Jamus SC for the third-place playoff on Friday, kicking off at 3 PM, followed by the final at 7 PM. Al Hilal enters this match as the favorite, having remained unbeaten in their last two encounters with Jamus, including a 1-0 victory in last year’s CAF Champions League qualifiers.
A total of $60,000 in prize money, generously provided by Rwandan President Paul Kagame, awaits the teams across both matches. The champions will walk away with $30,000, while the runners-up will receive $20,000, and the third-placed team will earn $10,000.
The final will be officiated by Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, recognized as the 2025 CAF Men’s Best Referee, ensuring a top-tier officiating experience for this prestigious event.
