Gor Mahia suffer first loss in Confed Cup

by Brian Lee

Sunday Aug 19, 2018. 21:02

Kenya’s Gor Mahia suffered their first loss in this year’s CAF Confederation Cup after going down 2-1 to Rwanda’s Rayon Sports in a Group D match at Moi Stadium on Sunday.

Despite the loss Gor Mahia still top Group D with eight points, alongside USM Alger who also lost on Sunday.

The win for Rayon is their first in Group D, but still sees them in third spot with six points and with a small chance of qualifying for the knockout stages.

Rayon got off to the perfect start with the game’s opening goal three minutes into the tie courtesy of a clinical finish from Caleb Bimenyimana, 1-0.

Gor Mahia, though, were not going to go down without a fight and managed to draw level in the 22nd minute when Francis Mustafa found the back of the net, 1-1.

Rayon took control of the match after that and controlled the flow of the play.

The visiting side came close to taking the lead for a second time when Gabriel Mugabo let fly from long range, but his stinging effort shaved the wrong side of the post.

The half ended with the teams locked at 1-1.

Rayon came out firing at the start of the second half and found their second goal in the 53rd minute thanks to a strike from Eric Rutanga goal, 2-1.

Abdul Rwatubyaye almost made it three for Rayon in the 75th minute when he met a cross into the box, but his ten-yard header went narrowly over the target.

Gor Mahia threw players forward in the final ten minutes as they went in search of an equaliser, but Rayon managed to hold on for the win.

Gor Mahia (1) 1 (Mustafa 22’)

Rayon Sports (1) 2 (Bimenyimana 3’, Rutanga 53’)

Teams

Gor Mahia: Odhoji, Kahata, Tuyisenge, Onyango, Ochieng (Juma 74’), Shakava, Wendo, Mustafa (S Onyango 80’), Odhiambo (Ondiek 90’), Otieno, Mieno.

Rayon Sports: Bashunga, Rutanga, Manzi, Mutsinzi, Bimenyimana (Yasin 90’), Muhire, Niyonzima, Mugisha, Rwatubyaye, Manishimwe, Mugabo.