Part of the action as Gor Mahia took El Merreikh (C) Courtesy
Gor Mahia recovered quickly from an early setback to emphatically defeat El Merreikh Bentiu of South Sudan 5-1 in the second leg of their 2024-25 CAF Champions League First Qualifying Round encounter played at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday.
Gor Mahia won the tie 5-2 on aggregate but it was the South Sudanese that had one foot in the next round going into the match having defeat the Kenyan champions 1-0 one week ago in Juba.
El Merreikh Bentiu did not waste time consolidating their advantage with the Nigerian-born Djiboutian Samuel Akinbinu giving them lead after just eight minutes to 1-0 on the day and 2-0 on aggregate.
With their opponents having secured a vital away goal, the result left K'Ogalo needing to scored at least three goals to save their campaign.
It was a task that appeared daunting at first as Gor Mahia has been winless in the four matches they had played since the arrival of their new Brazilian coach Leo Neiva, who replaced the North Irishman Johnathan McKinstry in July.
However, Gor Mahia put behind the woes emanating from their struggling form and responded to that challenge with the desired alacrity as Chris Ochieng' struck in the 11th minute to level the score for 21-time Kenyan champions on the day.
Alpha Onyango brought Gor Mahia back in to the tie with his goal 11 minutes, giving Gor Mahia a vital lead and tying the contest 2-2 on aggregate.
New signing Alphonce Omija introduced himself formally to the K'Ogalo faithful by completing the remarkable turnaround with his goal in the 35th minute which put Gor Mahia in a commanding 3-1 lead on the day and 3-2 on aggregate.
The second half was devoid of the frantic start and goal bonanza of the first half as the period was starved of a goal until Rooney Onyango put Gor Mahia 4-1 in the 81st minute before he added the icing the cake to complete his brace with a goal in the 96th minute.
Gor Mahia, as a result of the win, sealed progress to the second and final qualifying round where they will battle against Egyptian giants and reigning CAF Champions League champions Al Ahly for a spot in the 2024-25 CAF Champions League group stage, a territory that remains unchartered for Gor Mahia but hope springs eternal.
At the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa, 2024 FKF Cup champions Kenya Police showed great composure as they won 1-0 away to Ethiopian Coffee to book their place in the second and final qualifying round for the 2024-25 CAF Confederation Cup.
Kenya Police, who had been held to a 0-0 draw by the Ethiopians at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi one week ago, took the lead in the 19th minute through the South Sudanese Rashid Toha and defended resolutely to protect their advantage and registered their first ever win in CAF competitions.
The win now sets up Kenya Police to play against Zamalek of Egypt, the competition's reigning champions, for a chance to feature in the group stages of the 2024-25 CAF Confederation Cup.
Gor Mahia and Kenya Police will play their Egyptian opponents on the weekends of September 14/15 and 21/22.
Eyes will also be on Somalia's Dekedaha, who eliminated Arta Solar of Djibouti after a 5-4 win on aggregate (2-0 away win and a 4-3 loss at home) to book a meeting with Esperance de Tunis in the Second Qualifying Round for the 2024-25 CAF Champions League.
Yanga of Tanzania will also feature in that stage after dispatching Vital'O of Burundi 10-0 on aggregate. The Tanzanians will face Ethiopia's CBE who eliminated SC Villa 3-2 on aggregate.
APR Rwanda, after eliminating Tanzania's Azam 2-1 on aggregate, will meet Pyramids of Egypt in that round. Pyramids defeated JKU of Tanzania to book a date with the Rwandese champions.
In the CAF Confederation Cup, Kenya Police will be representing the region together with Rukinzo of Burundi who eliminated Somalia's Horseed 2-0 on aggregate. Rukinzo will meet Tunisian side CS Sfaxien.
Simba of Tanzania will also feature having received a bye to the Second Qualifying Round. They will face Al Ahli Tripoli who eliminated Uhamiaji of Tanzania 5-1 on aggregate.
