Gor Mahia Miss Chance to Meet TP Mazembe Amid CECAFA Kagame Cup Withdrawals

Gor Mahia, one of Kenya’s premier football clubs, will not have the opportunity to face off against the famed TP Mazembe in the upcoming 2024 CECAFA Kagame Cup. This development comes as TP Mazembe clarified their stance regarding their participation in the tournament, scheduled from July 6th to 22nd in Tanzania and Zanzibar.

Initial reports had placed TP Mazembe, alongside Malawi’s Nyasa Big Bullets and Zambia’s Red Arrows FC, as one of the three guest teams set to enrich the tournament with their participation. However, TP Mazembe recently issued a statement revealing that they had not received any official invitation from the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA). This revelation has altered the anticipated dynamics of the tournament.

Adding to the reshuffle, Tanzania’s Azam FC, a two-time CECAFA Kagame Cup winner, announced their withdrawal from the 16-team tournament. Thabit Zaka Za Kazi Zakaria, Azam FC’s head of media, confirmed in an interview with Azam TV that the club opted out to concentrate on their pre-season preparations for the 2024/25 campaign. Azam FC recently secured second place in the Premier League standings, narrowly edging out Simba with a 2-0 away victory against Geita Gold, thus qualifying for the CAF Champions League alongside champions Young Africans.

The CECAFA Kagame Cup, with its rich history, remains a prestigious tournament in the region. Tanzania’s Simba SC holds the record for the most titles at six, followed by national rivals Young Africans (Yanga) SC and Kenya’s Tusker FC, each with five titles. Other notable winners include Rwanda’s APR FC, Sudan’s Al Merriekh, Uganda’s SC Villa, and Kenya’s Gor Mahia FC, each with three titles.

In the midst of these external developments, Gor Mahia faces internal challenges. Levin Odhiambo, the club’s newly acquired left-back, has expressed his frustration over being unable to play for the club two months after his controversial move from Tusker. Despite joining on a free transfer, registration issues have sidelined Odhiambo until the next transfer window opens. This delay deprives him of the opportunity to contribute to the club immediately, forcing him to wait until the start of the next season.