Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports Kipchumba Murkomen has urged Kenyans to turn out in numbers and show support for Gor Mahia.
Gor Mahia will this Sunday, September 15, 2024, take on Egyptian giants Al Ahly SC in the CAF Champions League second round duel at Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi.
Gor Mahia’s challenge
Taking to his official X account this morning, Murkomen said that Kenya as a country was ready for the challenge.
“It’s game day! Our champions, Gor Mahia FC, take 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!” Murkomen stated.
It's game day! Our champions, Gor Mahia FC, take 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! pic.twitter.com/sLEWOaq6Cz
— KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN, E.G.H (@kipmurkomen) September 15, 2024
Tough game
Gor Mahia head coach Leonardo Neiva said on Saturday, September 14, 2024, that the match will be a tough game for them.
However, Neiva stated that the contest would be a good game for his players to express themselves, adding that the team was confident.
“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 stated during a training session.
🟢 | COACH SPEAKS
— GOR MAHIA FC (@OfficialGMFC) September 14, 2024
🗣 | "For sure it will be a tough game tomorrow (against Al Ahly) & it will be a very good game for players to express themselves… We are ready for them game, we are confident & we hope we can surprise them."
#Sirkal | #GorFansClub | #TotalEnerguesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/QVGnPRNjbl
Gor Mahia triumph
K’Ogalo, who secured a record 21st Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League title last season, making a return to the inter-club competition, advanced to the second round after eliminating South Sudanese side El Merreikh Bentiu with a 5-2 aggregate score.
Gor Mahia lost the first leg in Juba 1-0 but turned things around in the return leg, defeating their visitors 5-1 at Nyayo Stadium to secure their passage to the next round of the prestigious competition.
Gor Mahia will host the Red Devils in the first leg at Nyayo Stadium this Sunday before the two sides meet again in the return leg on Saturday, September 21, 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.
