Six things to know about Gor Mahia hero Kahata
Kenyan international Francis Kahata’s away goal against South African side SuperSport United on Wednesday night proved vital for Gor Mahia to reach the Caf Confederation Cup group stages.
Gor headed into the match with a 1-0 advantage registered in the first leg played in Machakos 11 days ago.
Kahata cancelled Harun Shakava’s own goal at the hour mark but Thabo Mshamane restored the hosts’ lead in the 68th minute for a 2-1 win.
Gor are now through to the money-spinning group stages of continental football for the first time in over two-decades.
For a start, they will be entitled to a Sh28 million cash reward from Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The last time a Kenyan club made it to the money league of the Caf Club competitions was in 1994, when Tusker – then known as Kenya Breweries – lost in the finals of the defunct Africa Cup Winners Cup to DC Motema Pembe of DR Congo.
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Gor Mahia had made it to the quarters two years earlier. Since then, all other outings by Kenyan clubs in the continental scene have ended in frustrations.
So who is this Francis Kahata that broke the Kenyan jinx continental club football?
1. He is a left footed winger who can play either as a number 8 or 10. He is speedy and creative with an eye for goals.
2. He has previously enjoyed professional stints in South Africa, Albania and shortly in China.
3. It was his first time featuring in Caf Club competitions, two seasons after joining Gor Mahia from Albanian side KF Tirana.
4. He helped Gor to win the 2017 KPL title for his first league medal. The closest he had previously come to winning a trophy was reaching the KPL Top 8 final in 2013 with his previous club Thika United who lost to Tusker on penalties.
5. He is 26 years old; the last time Gor Mahia reached the quarterfinals of the second tier continental tournament was 26 years ago.
6. Otherwise known as Baba Winsy, he is the proud father of one daughter.