Gor Mahia knocked out of Africa’s richest tournament for the third time

Gor Mahia's Nicholas Kipkirui (R) is held by Zacharia Benchaa of USM Alger as they battle for ball possession during their CAF Confederation Cup match at Kasarani on Sunday 29/09/19. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Gor Mahia have been bundled out of the Caf Champions League by USM Algiers on a 6-1 aggregate.

The Kenyan champions lost the return leg 2-0 at Kasarani on Sunday to be bundled out of Africa’s richest tournament for the third time in a row.

Two goals by Aimen Mahious were enough to send the visitors to the group stages of the Champions League where they are assured of at least Sh55million.

Despite losing the first leg 4-1 last weekend, there was always hope that Gor Mahia would come back into the match as they had a home ground advantage to boast of.

But it took only three minutes for those hopes to be dashed. Mahious picked his spot and beat Fredrick Odhiambo for the opener.

At the quarter-hour mark, Mahious scored his second overrunning the Gor Mahia backline to score.

Before the goal, Gor Mahia had shown some flashes of brilliance in search of an equaliser but it was not to be.

The best chance for Gor Mahia fell at the feet of Nicholas Kipkurui in the 17th minute after he found himself with only the goalkeeper to beat but was denied for a corner.

Gor Mahia kept the pressure in the second half but were unlucky not to score at least once.

The Kenyan club will be relegated to the Confederations Cup where they will once again attempt to qualify for the tournament's group stage.