Kenya’s Gor Mahia started their regional Cecafa-Kagame Cup tournament on a bright note by posting a 2-1 win over guest team – AS Maniema – from DR Congo .
The match was staged at the Umugunda Stadium on the shores of Lake Kivu in Rubavu, two kilometres from the Rwanda-DRC border.
The other Kenyan representatives in the tournament Bandari were held to a one-all draw by Ugandan champions Kampala City Capital Authority on Sunday.
In the Gor Mahia tie, the Kenyans were in full control, dominating large chunks of the match but that counted for less as poor finishing by their new faces saw them waste several chances.
Maniema, who are making their maiden appearance in the annual tournament, finished fourth in the DR Congo league last season behind champions TP Mazembe, AS Vita and Daring Club Motema Pembe respectively.
Gor took the lead after 22 minutes through Wellington Ochieng, who beat his marker, Abedi Masudi, before slamming home the match opener past Bukasa Mangala’s goal.
Gor continued to press the button and it came as no surprise when Bonface Onyango beat the offside trap to bag the second goal that brought Gor technical bench on their feet.
Coach Hassan Oktay fielded a relatively new side with fresh legs led by Tobias Otieno, Dennis Oalo and Ambundo Dickson making the starting XI.
Likweya Jeremaya scored a consolation for Maniema from the penalty spot in the dying moments of the game.
Earlier on at the same venue, Djibouti side – AS Port, drubbed Zanzibar’s Kikosi Maalum Cha Kuzuia Magendo (KMKM) 2-0. Gabriel Dadzie scored both goals for the winners.
Elsewhere, Mukura Victory Sports, another Rwandan outfit, started their Group B campaign on a wrong footing as they lost 1-0 to two-time and reigning champions Azam FC, of Tanzania, at Huye Stadium.
In other results, home team Rayon Sports started their campaign on a healthy note following their 1-0 win over TP Mazembe of DRC Congo.
