Gor Mahia captain Mike Kibwage/HANDOUT Gor Mahia assistant captain Mike Kibwage has called for focus, discipline and unity as the reigning SportPesa Premier League champions seek to bounce back from their bruising CAF Champions League exit and mount another strong domestic title challenge.
The champions were eliminated from the continental competition by Egyptian side Pyramids FC after suffering a 7-1 aggregate defeat. Gor Mahia conceded twice in the first leg in Nairobi before Pyramids completed the rout with a 5-1 victory in Cairo a week later.
Despite the setback, Kibwage says Gor have enough quality and depth to compete strongly in the 2026/27 season and build on the record 22nd league title they won last campaign. “We have a very good squad which is capable of dominating, and soon we will get our rhythm,” Kibwage said.
The experienced centre-back, who is part of the club’s new leadership structure, believes the disappointment in Africa should not derail the team’s wider ambitions. Instead, he wants the squad to remain united as they pursue success in the local league.
“We have to stay together as a team and remain motivated because the season is still long,” he said.
Kibwage admitted that the lack of match sharpness presented a challenge but expects the squad to improve as the league gathers momentum. “We have not played many league matches, so match fitness is something that we have to work on,” he said.
The defender also reflected on how Gor Mahia conceded during their opening match, describing the setback as painful but insisting there is enough time to correct the mistakes. “It was very painful to concede in that manner, but the good thing is that it's only the first match of the season,” he said.
Rather than allowing the Champions League disappointment to linger, Kibwage wants the players to use the experience as a lesson as they turn their attention to their domestic title defence.
“We will take the lessons from that game and work on our mistakes because we know what we want to achieve this season,” he said.
The continental campaign nevertheless gave several Gor Mahia players their first taste of Champions League football. Kibwage believes the experience, despite the heavy aggregate loss, will motivate them.
