Gor Mahia ready for CAF champions league tie against Al Ahly

KPL record champions Gor Mahia intensified training ahead of their herculean task against Egyptian giants Al Ahly in their first leg of the CAF Champions League second preliminary round on Sunday at Nyayo National Stadium.

K'Ogalo have been boosted by the news that Harambee Stars defender Alphonce Omija passed fitness test, after initially being ruled out with a knee injury picked during Afcon qualifier opening fixture against Zimbabwe on Saturday, in Kampala Uganda.

Omija, who returned home for further scans while the rest headed to Johannesberg, South Africa to battle Namibia in the next fixture, has been shortlisted in preliminary 22-man squad set to hit camp on Friday.

K'Ogallo also have on board KPL 2023-24 MVP, Austin Odhiambo, defender Rooney Onyango and Stars debutant Sylvester Owino who landed Thursday morning with the national team from South Africa.

The Kenyan giants who hold the record of the only East African side to win a continental title - the 1987 Mandela Cup - before being renamed to CAF confederations Cup qualified for the second round with a 5-2 aggregate after hammering South Sudan’s El Mereihk Bentu last month.

However, head coach Leonardo Neiva knows too well their opponents are not an ordinary side, as between them and the Champions League group stage are the most successful team in the African continent.

"We are going to face the 'Real Madrid' of Africa who start as favourites but we have to compete well without exposing ourselves,” Leonardo said.

Captain Philemon Otieno, midfielder Earnest Wendo, Larence Juma and  Boniface Omondi lead the experienced boys who beat Egyptain giants Zamalek 4-2 in the Confederations group stage at Kasarani and Leonardo believes they have a chance against the much fancied Al Ahly.

The team will be boosted by debutants Samuel Kapen, Musa Shariff, Sylvester Owino among others.

The Brazilian tactician will take his boys through their final paces on Friday from 9 am at M'pesa foundation, Thika, before trimming the squad to 20 who will head to camp for Sunday's battle.

Players who will train on Friday at M'pesa foundation are Kevin Omondi, Caleb Omondi, Philemon Otieno, Paul Ochuoga, Levin Odhiambo, Geofrey Ochieng, Sylvester Owino, Joshua Onyango, Kenedy Onyango, Alphonce Omija, Lawrence Juma, Enock Morrison, Alpha Onyango, Austin Odhiambo, Rodgers Ouma, Musa Shariff, Bonface Omondi, Samuel Kapen, Ronney Onyango, Chris Ochieng, Mark Shaban and Kevin Juma.

While Gor are chasing their first Champions League crown, the red devils will be seeking their third straight crown to add to their record 12 championship titles.

"Football is 11 against 11 and we have to try and win at home because we know it won't be easy away in Cairo. We want our fans to come up in numbers and support us in the big clash," Leonardo said.

Ah Ahly Swiss coach, Marcel Koller, will have a great artillery at his expense led by captain and goal keeper Mohamed El Shenawy, Morocco’s Achraf Dari, Ghana's Reindorf Huncho and Bafana Bafana star, Percy Tau among others.

Al Aly won the 2023-24 Champions League title with a 1-0 win over Espérance Sportive de Tunis in Cairo after a 0-0 draw in the first leg.

K'Ogalo CEO Raymond Oruo confirmed Al Ahly will arrive in the country on Friday around 8 pm and are expected to have their first training session  at Nyayo stadium on Saturday morning.

Coach Leoanardo has urged fans to show up in their thousands and support Gor as they seek to return to glory days in the continental showcase.

Gor Mahia have always found the going tough against North African opponents and will be hoping to finish the game in the first leg in Nairobi.

The return leg takes place on Saturday, September 21, 2024.

K’Ogalo already pocketed $50,000 (around Sh6.5 million) for making it to the preliminary stage of the CAF Champions League.

They will be targeting a whooping $700,000 (around Sh90,278,451) if they beat the Egyptians and qualify for the group stage.