Gor Mahia boss Rachier optimistic ahead of club’s return to Caf Champ…

NAIROBI, Kenya, August 9, 2026 – Gor Mahia chair Ambrose Rachier is optimistic of the club’s chances on their return to the Caf Champions League. somethingsdifferent.biz

Rachier says the team have grown in unity and confidence thanks to the just-concluded Cecafa Club Championships in Rwanda.

“We played the champions or the league champions (APR) in this country and won. It was a very good achievement, took many people by surprise, but what is important is being together for slightly over one month, the whole team being together. That has served to achieve cohesion, also the infusion of rules and discipline that we talk about,” Rachier said.

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League champions returned to the country on Saturday evening, after a month away in Rwanda.

K’Ogalo reached the finals of the regional championships, ultimately losing 2-1 to hosts Rayon Sports on Friday night at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.

It was second meeting between the two sides in less than a month, following their pre-season friendly in July in which Francis Harigingo’s side emerged 2-0 winners on that occasion.

Rachier says their pre-season preparations couldn’t have started on the right note, notwithstanding the loss.

“When we came here we had not even started the pre-season. So our first friendly match on the invitation of Rayon was a useful invitation. We started the preparation at that time,” the supremo said.

The 1987 Confederations Cup champions begin their continental campaign against Egyptian giants Pyramids FC on the weekend of September 4-6.

Having played other regional giants in Kigali, such as APR and Rayon Sports (Rwanda), Vipers SC (Uganda) and Al Hilal (Sudan), head coach Charles Akonnor will be hoping that the confidence garnered will be enough to stand up to the North African giants come the day of reckoning.

Kaizer Chiefs will be targeting a 16^th MTN8 crown when they meet Golden Arrows in the quarterfinals at the FNB Stadium this evening (kick-off is at 6pm).

Since their first participation in the Top 8 tournament in 1972, Chiefs have won the competition 15 times and will now go in search of a 16^th crown.

Speaking ahead of the game against Arrows, Chiefs captain Brandon Petersen said the mood in the camp is good after their win against Kruger United last weekend.

“The new guys have been settling in nicely and we are adapting to the coach’s style. So far, so good. After our performance against Kruger United, we are all enthusiastic about the season ahead,” Petersen told Chiefs media.

Petersen is expecting a tough encounter against Abafana Besthende, who qualified for the MTN8 by finishing sixth last season.

“Playing them is always a tough challenge. They are well structured and tactically disciplined. We know we’ll have our work cut out,” he admits before adding, “but come Sunday, I know the guys will be up for it.”

The match marks the first opportunity for Chiefs to play in front of their fans this season and Petersen encouraged the Amakhosi faithful to join them at FNB stadium on Sunday.

“We’d love to see all our supporters come out to celebrate Women’s Day with us and get behind the team in our first home game. They make a big difference in lifting the atmosphere and energising the players,” concluded Petersen.

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has addressed the situation surrounding Monnapule Saleng’s absence from the team.

Cardoso explained that Saleng’s continued absence stems from repeated breaches of the club’s rules and values, which have made it difficult for the technical team to maintain the required stability within the squad.

The Portuguese coach also revealed that Saleng missed key team commitments, including the Champions League final and the club’s pre-season camp, further complicating his situation at Sundowns.

Cardoso stressed that the club has shown the player considerable support, but ultimately decided to separate him from the first team after he failed to follow the path expected of him.

“Regarding Saleng, the situation is unfortunately very different,” Cardoso told the media.

“Saleng consecutively broke the rules and values of the locker room and of the club, and in this moment – well not in this moment, for some time already he is not training with the team.

“Saleng was on the list for the second match of the Champions League [final] and he didn’t appear. Saleng was on the list to go [pre-season] camp but he did not appear, or he said he would not go.

“So it’s impossible for us to keep stability with a player you give so much love, even after he systematically failed but is not ready to make the path that the team needs to have.

“So the club decided put him separated from the team, he’s not with us right now.”

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