Record 21-time Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions Gor Mahia have shifted their attention to the inaugural Coal City Tournament in Nigeria next month, following their poor show at the 2024 Kagame Cecafa tournament in Dar es Salaam last week.
Despite failing to win a single match, and exposing their lack of experience outside Kenya, new head coach Leonardo Neiva on his first assignment has asked for patience.
KO’gallo fell 1-0 to Zambia’s red arrows, before drawing 1-1 with Djibouti Telkoms. They lost the last group B clash 2-0 to top side Al Hilal of Sudan, to finish third with a single point missing out on the semifinals.
The result saw angry Gor fans rant on social media questioning Leonardo’s tactics, and abilities. However, the Brazilian who is instilling new a philosophy and playing style remained positive.
“I didn’t come to Tanzania to look for results, but to gauge the type of players I have in the preparations for the CAF Champions League. We have a lot of potential and head to Nigeria to continue with the preparations, but we can’t change overnight," Leonardo said.
While playmaker Austin Odhiambo was missed, the team showed little moving forward thus a lack of goals, according to most pundits. Al Hilal head coach Florent Ibenge though, was positive Gor was on the right track.
“Gor Mahia kept the ball and showed they want to play football. They are tough but sometimes things turn out differently in matches. A complete pre-season will lift them higher and they’ll trouble teams, the experienced Congolese tactician said.
Leonardo who replaced Johnathan McKinstry three weeks ago, has been tasked to elevate Gor to the 24/25 Champions’ League group stage. He is assisted by Zedekiah “Zico“ Otieno and Michael Nam on his quest.
Kogallo will face Brazilian giants Corinthians in the Coal City Tournament opener on August 2, and battle Coton FC of Benin on August 4, before completing their fixtures against Nigeria‘s Remo stars two days later.
Meanwhile, Gor will battle Sudan’s Al Merrreikh in the preliminaries of the CAF Champions League on August 23, with title holders Al Ahly lying in wait next should they overcome their first hurdle in September.
As Leonardo struggles to find the winning formula, he’ll bank on experienced Captain Philemon Otieno, midfielder Ernest Wendo and keeper trainer Boniface Oluoch who reached the Confederations Cup quarter-finals in 2018.
In addition to the KPL title winning squad Leonardo has new signings Alphonce Omija, Samuel Kapen and Shariff Sirengo. Others are Congolese striker Gedeon Bendek, Ugandan midfielder Chris Akena and Ghanian Enock Morrison.
Time will tell, but Leonardo will likely need the spirits of the great 1987 Mandela Cup-winning side to go past Egyptian giants Al Ahly.