Gor Mahia head coach Leonardo Martins Neiva has acknowledged the daunting challenge that awaits his team as they prepare to face Egyptian giants Al Ahly in the second round of the CAF Champions League. Despite recognizing the formidable reputation of their opponents, Neiva maintains a hopeful outlook, stating that “in football, anything is possible.”
The Kenyan champions secured their place in this round of the competition after clinching a record 21st Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League title last season.
Their journey to the second round saw them eliminate South Sudanese side El Merreikh Bentiu with an aggregate score of 5-2.
After a narrow 1-0 defeat in the first leg in Juba, Gor Mahia made an impressive comeback with a commanding 5-1 victory at Nyayo Stadium.
Gor Mahia’s qualification sets up a challenging encounter with Al Ahly, the reigning African champions, who received a bye into the second round.
The first leg of this much-anticipated clash is scheduled for Sunday, September 15, at the Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi.
The return leg will take place on Saturday, September 21, at the Cairo International Stadium.
Kenyan clubs, including Gor Mahia, have historically struggled against North African teams.
The national team, Harambee Stars, has also found it difficult to secure positive results in such matchups.
Only a handful of Kenyan sides have managed to defy the odds, with Sofapaka’s 2020 Confederation Cup triumph over Egypt’s Ismaily SC being a rare highlight.
After losing the first leg 2-0 in Egypt, Sofapaka staged a remarkable comeback with a 4-0 victory in Nairobi.
However, their journey ended in the next round with a narrow defeat to Tunisia’s Club Africain.
Martins Neiva, a 46-year-old Brazilian coach who took charge of Gor Mahia on July 1, 2024, following the departure of Johnathan McKinstry, is confident that the poor run of results against North African clubs can be reversed. Speaking to SportsBoom.com about the upcoming match against Al Ahly, Neiva expressed his belief in the possibility of an upset.
“We hope so,” Neiva said. “Everyone knows that Al Ahly is the big favorite to keep the title (Champions League trophy) again due to the great history and records of the club, but I can give you an example when things went against the favorite.
I had a great experience in the Qatar World Cup qualifiers in 2021 where I managed to qualify the Saint Kitts and Nevis National Team for the second round for the first time ever in the country’s history.”
In preparation for the high-stakes clash, Neiva has been focusing on the tactical, physical, and technical aspects of his team’s training.
“We are undergoing tactical, physical, and technical preparations to try to do our best against the African champions,” Neiva explained.
“This game will certainly demand a lot from my players due to the level of the opponent.”
Gor Mahia has yet to play their first match in the FKF Premier League this season, as their opening fixture against FC Talanta was postponed to allow for adequate preparation for their continental campaign.
With a storied history that includes 21 Kenyan league titles, Gor Mahia is determined to make a strong statement against Al Ahly, who boast an impressive record of 44 Egyptian Premier League titles, 12 Champions League titles, and numerous other domestic and continental honors.
The Kenyan champions face a formidable task, but under Martins Neiva’s guidance, they are preparing to rise to the challenge and aim for a historic result against one of Africa’s football powerhouses.
