I Will Make Amends Against ASAS, Gor Coach Neiva Pledges After Cecafa Loss To Red Arrows

_{Action between Gor Mahia FC (Green) against Red Arrows of Zambia on Wednesday night at the ongoing 2024 Cecafa Kagame Cup in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. PHOTO/ TFF}

DAR Es Salaam, Tanzania- Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia FC had a rough start in their opening fixture of the 2024 Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Kagame Cup at Azam Chamazi Sports Complex in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on Wednesday night.

Favorite Gor were edged 1-0 by guest side and Zambia Premier League champions Red Arrows, courtesy of substitute James Chamanga’s 74^th minute tap -in.

The loss left new head coach Leonardo Neiva scratching his head. It was a real baptism test for the Brazilian tactician who is looking to achieve more honours with the 21 times Kenyan champions.

“We are going back to the drawing board; we are going to plot on how to nail victory against ASAS Djibouti Telecom FC on Sunday. This means we have to be perfect physically and tactically,” Neiva said after the match.

_{Action between Gor Mahia FC (Green) against Red Arrows of Zambia on Wednesday night at the ongoing 2024 Cecafa Kagame Cup in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. PHOTO/ TFF}

“Despite the loss, I’m happy with my boys, the squad has character, behavior and attitude. The players are real fighters, they are capable of winning this tournament.

“We only need to rope in short passes and increase our movements and concentration on the pitch without the ball in order to be better in our next assignments,” he explained.

Neiva explained his squad is in the process of gelling as he has penned new signings including Samuel Kapen, Chris Pius Akena, and Gedeon Bendeka.

“Once we become perfect and united, other sides will feel the wrath of our weight in this tournament,” he stated.

While commenting on their Zambian rivals Red Arrows, Neiva said: “It was a tough game for us, the opponents controlled the match in the first half, especially in the opening 25 minutes. After that we were able to fix some issues and the game got balanced resulting in a draw at the breather. I think they played better than us in the first half.”

_{Action between Gor Mahia FC (Green) against Red Arrows of Zambia on Wednesday night at the ongoing 2024 Cecafa Kagame Cup in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. PHOTO/ TFF}

Following the loss, Gor now lies third on the log in the tough Group B fixture. Al Hilal (Sudan) who edged Telkom 2-0 on Wednesday night tops Group B standings.

Gor last lifted the Cecafa trophy in 1985, they are now looking for a fourth honors in the regional tournament.

2024 Cecafa Kagame Cup Group B results

Gor Mahia FC 0 2 Red Arrows

Djibouti Telecom (Djibouti) 0 2 Al Hilal (Sudan)