End of the road: Gor exit Kagame Cup after another draw against Telecom

Dan Sserunkuma (left) of Gor Mahia vies against Patient Muhuza of Atletico from Burundi during their Cecafa Kagame Club Cup 2014 match at Kigali Regional Stadium in Nyamirambo on August 11. [PHOTO: PIC CENTRE]

Telecom had everything to fight for, but Gor Mahia were keen to exit the Cecafa Kagame Club Cup with pride at the Nyamirambo Stadium in Kigali.

Freddy Andasango opened the scores for Telecom in the 39th minute before George 'Blackberry' Odhiambo equalised in the 58th.

Ahmed Hassan Mousa restored Telecom's lead in the 74th minute but David Owino scored the second goal for Gor in the 90th minute for a 2-2 final scoreline.

Telecom, just like Gor Mahia, were out of the tournament and Atletico of Burundi, who were watching from the stands, will sail through to the last eight.

Both teams started slowly, neither keen to concede, but the Djibouti side had the inspiration to go forward but failed to challenge the Gor defence.

That, however, changed in the 39th minute when Djama Aboubakari pulled away from his marker to score the opener and give Telecom a quarter-finals hope.

Telecom almost doubled their lead in the 43rd minute when Dahir Keder Mohamed was put through by Djama Aboubakari but his shot hit the crossbar after beating goalkeeper David Juma. Telecom held on to the 1-0 lead until the breather.

On resumption, Telecom stayed on the offensive in an effort to double their lead, with Andasango tormenting Gor defence as he kept Godfrey Walusimbi busy on the left wing.

Odhiambo made a few shots on goal, but they were not strong enough to challenge Telecom goalkeeper Jeef Inzokira.

Coach Bobby Williamson substituted Odhiambo with Timothy Otieno in the 54th minute as he tried to have pace upfront for an equaliser. It worked perfectly as Erick Ochieng' picked up the ball deep inside Gor half before releasing a splitting pass, which Otieno controlled well to score the equaliser in the 57th minute.

Telecom hopes of securing a quarter-final ticket were hanging by a thread and as the time ticked on, desperation crept in. Telecom needed to score two goals to have an edge over Atletico as Gor Mahia held their position.

One-two passes between Otieno, Ochieng' and Walusimbi failed to produce a goal, with Otieno's strike getting blocked by the defenders. Pressure was now on Telecom as Gor pushed for the winner. Williamson then introduced Geoffrey Baba Kizito for Simon Mburu.

In the 74 minute, Walusimbi was cautioned as he fouled Walid Ali Beyleh on the edge of the box and the referee awarded a penalty, which Ahmed Hassan Mousa stepped forward to score. 

Arthur Ssemazi had a chance to score in the 81st minute after Otieno set him up inside the box, but he blasted it off target.

"It was not easy to inspire the players, but they have played well," said Williamson.

Meanwhile, Tanzania giants Azam will meet Allan Wanga's El Meriekh in the quarter-finals. The Sudan side finished second in Group C. Rayon Sport will face the second team in Group B between APR or KCCA (who were playing late yesterday), while the top team in this group (A) will meet Atlabara of South Sudan.

Rwanda's Police FC, who led in Group A, will meet Atletico of Burundi, who finished third in Group B in the quarters.

The quarter-finals will start on Tuesday at Nyamirambo Stadium.