Gor Mahia captain Sylvester Owino has declared that the team is prepared to handle a high-level field at the 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup, starting with their opening match against Rwandan powerhouse APR on Friday.
Speaking during his first official press conference since being handed the armband, the young defender admitted that taking over the leadership duties at Kenya’s most successful club carries significant weight.
“It’s true this is my first press conference since I was appointed the new captain,” Owino stated. “There’s a really big shoe to fill, considering the previous captain, Philemon Otieno has won a lot of trophies in the club.
So, this is a good challenge for me as well,still young and promising. We are looking forward to clinching the trophy so that we get on the road.”
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Gor Mahia captain Sylvester Owino ready for first test at CECAFA Kagame Cup
Owino was ushered in the leadership era for the defending SportPesa League champions following the retirement of long-serving skipper Philemon Otieno, who spent over a decade anchoring the K’Ogalo defense.
While Otieno seamlessly transitioned to the backroom staff as the club’s new Team Manager, the armband was handed to Owino, who joined Gor Mahia in October 2022 from Kakamega Homeboyz and has already anchored the backline to league glory on two occasions.
Owino reflected on the squad’s recent defeat against Rayon Sports, noting that the match provided lessons as they wrap up their second week of intense preseason training.
Despite having only a week of preparation prior to that friendly, the defender was quick to point out that the squad has rapidly absorbed the coaching staff’s lessons.
“I think playing Rayon Sports the other week was a good preparation towards the commencement of this tournament. In the game, I think there were a lot of positives, being that we had trained only for a week. The boys have picked up well, and we are hoping for a good outing,” Owino noted.
The skipper acknowledged that this edition of the tournament brings together formidable regional champions, leaving no room for complacency.
“Considering the teams that are invited in this edition, I think it’s a pretty high-level competition. If you see the likes of APR,champions of Rwanda,Simba, and Vipers, all those at some point have won trophies. The competition is going to be stiff, and we are equally prepared for the task.”
Owino is expected to lead the team out in its second match of the preseason, which will mark his second official outing of the captaincy era.
It promises to be a baptism of fire for the new skipper as Gor Mahia steps onto the pitch in front of a hostile, capacity home crowd of passionate APR fans at the Amahoro Stadium.