Gor Mahia and Kenya Police FC discover preliminary opponents for CAF assignments
By Rama Mohammed and Michael Kirwa |
Gor Mahia will face El Merreikh Bentiu in the CAF Champions League, while Kenya Police FC will battle Ethiopian Coffee in the CAF Confederation Cup, as both clubs embark on their continental campaigns.
Kenyan football giants Gor Mahia and FKF Cup champions Kenya Police FC have learned their preliminary round opponents for the upcoming 2024-25 CAF Champions League and Confederations Cup campaigns, marking pivotal moments in their continental aspirations.
Gor Mahia vs El Merreikh Bentiu
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Gor Mahia, seasoned contenders in African football, will face South Sudan's El Merreikh Bentiu in the Preliminary Qualifying Round of the 2024-25 CAF Champions League. This match marks Gor Mahia's 15th appearance in the prestigious tournament, aiming to progress to the Group Stages for the first time in their history. The first leg is scheduled to be hosted by El Merreikh Bentiu on the weekend of August 16-18, with Gor Mahia hosting the return leg on August 23-25. The winner of this tie will advance to face Egyptian giants Al Ahly, the reigning champions and record holders with 12 titles, in the next round.
Gor Mahia, who reached the quarterfinals in 1969 and 1992 when the competition lacked a Group Stage, last participated in the Champions League in the 2020-21 season, where they were eliminated in the First Round by Algerian club Belouizdad. Currently, they are also competing in the CECAFA Club Championships in Tanzania, potentially crossing paths with El Merreikh Bentiu before their Champions League encounter.
Kenya Police FC vs Ethiopian Coffee
Meanwhile, Kenya Police FC, buoyed by their historic FKF Cup triumph over KCB, will make their debut in CAF competitions by facing Ethiopian Coffee in the preliminary qualifying round of the 2024-25 CAF Confederation Cup. Kenya Police FC, led by Interior PS Raymond Omollo, disclosed financial requirements totaling Sh 43 million to adequately prepare both their men's and women's teams, Kenya Police Bullets, for the continental challenge. The first leg of their tie against Ethiopian Coffee is set for August 16-18 in Nairobi, with the return leg in Ethiopia on August 23-25.
Founded in 1976, Ethiopian Coffee, based in Addis Ababa, has a rich history in CAF competitions, including notable encounters like eliminating Al Ahly from 1998 Champions League qualification. Despite sporadic appearances, they bring experience and pedigree to the Confederations Cup arena, having last competed in 2022-23 when they were knocked out in the First Round.
Should Kenya Police FC overcome Ethiopian Coffee, they will face Zamalek of Egypt, the current Confederations Cup champions, in the final qualifying round. Zamalek, a formidable force in African football, have clinched the Confederations Cup twice (2019, 2024) and boast a record five Champions League titles.
With 52 clubs vying for glory in the 2024-25 CAF Confederations Cup, Kenya Police FC aims to navigate the qualifying rounds successfully and secure a spot among the top 16 teams who progress to the Group Stage.
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