Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports, Kipchumba Murkomen, has called on Kenyans to come out in large numbers to support Gor Mahia as they face Egyptian giants Al Ahly SC in the CAF Champions League.
The match will take place on Sunday, September 15, 2024, at Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi. Murkomen took to his official X account to rally support for the team, saying, “It’s game day! Our champions, Gor Mahia FC, are taking on Africa’s most successful club, Al Ahly SC, at Nyayo Stadium. Let’s show up and support the team. We’re ready for the challenge. Twende kazi!”
Tough Challenge Ahead
Gor Mahia’s head coach, Leonardo Neiva, acknowledged the difficulty of the upcoming match. On Saturday, September 14, 2024, Neiva described the game as challenging but an excellent opportunity for his players to showcase their skills. “For sure it will be a tough game tomorrow (against Al Ahly), and it will be a very good game for players to express themselves. We are ready for them; we are confident, and we hope we can surprise them,” he said during a training session.
Gor Mahia’s Recent Success
Gor Mahia, who recently clinched their 21st Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League title, advanced to the second round of the CAF Champions League after overcoming South Sudanese side El Merreikh Bentiu with a 5-2 aggregate score. Despite losing the first leg 1-0 in Juba, Gor Mahia turned things around in the return leg, winning 5-1 at Nyayo Stadium to secure their spot in the next round of the prestigious competition.
The first leg of their match against Al Ahly SC will be hosted at Nyayo Stadium this Sunday, with the return leg scheduled for Saturday, September 21, 2024, at Cairo International Stadium.
North African teams
Kenyan teams have historically struggled against North African sides, including the national team Harambee Stars.
Recently, Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier acknowledged that he is always puzzled as to why the Kenyan champions always face the North African teams in the preliminary round of the CAF competitions.
“It is something that has puzzled me; we get knocked out earliest. If I remember since I have been chairman for 16 years.
“We have been knocked out by North African teams. Always an Egyptian team, Zamalek or Al Ahly, Esperance (of Tunisia). Always you get knocked out at the first or second preliminary round of the tournament by North African teams,” Rachier said in an interview with a local sports show.
