Gor Mahia face huge test against Al Ahly in CAF Champions League return leg

Kenyan champions Gor Mahia will face off against African football powerhouse Al Ahly SC in the second leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary round two at Cairo International Stadium on Friday night. Gor Mahia are heading into the match with a daunting task, having lost the first leg 3-0 at home.

The match is set to kick off at 8:00 pm East African Time, and fans can stream the game live online. While Gor Mahia supporters remain hopeful, overturning a three-goal deficit against the reigning African champions in their own backyard is a colossal challenge.

The first leg at Nyayo Stadium saw Gor Mahia crumble under pressure, with defensive errors gifting Al Ahly a comfortable victory. South African winger Percy Tau capitalised on two defensive lapses to score a brace for the Egyptian side, who showcased their dominance throughout the game.

Despite the defeat, Gor Mahia had moments of promise, with Ghanaian midfielder Enock delivering a standout performance. His control in midfield gave brief moments of respite, but ultimately, K'Ogalo were outclassed. Head coach Neiva Leo remains defiant and has vowed that his team will stick to their attacking philosophy, regardless of the result. “We are not going to sit back. We’ll fight to the end and play our game, whether we win, draw, or lose,” he said.

However, Neiva’s tactical decisions have come under scrutiny, especially after altering the defence in the first leg. His changes resulted in a lack of stability at the back, which Al Ahly ruthlessly exploited. Heading into the second leg, there are growing calls for a more pragmatic approach to avoid another rout.

Adding to Gor Mahia’s challenges are reports of unrest within the camp. A key player allegedly walked out of training in Cairo after a disagreement with the coach over his new role in attack. The player, who prefers playing as a fullback, is reportedly frustrated with being shifted to a forward position. Whether he will feature in the second leg remains unclear.

In goal, Gad Mathews is expected to replace Kevin Omondi after the latter’s shaky performance in Nairobi. Mathews, however, has been nursing a shoulder injury, leaving question marks over his readiness for such a high-pressure match.

This is not Gor Mahia’s first trip to Cairo, but their memories of the city are far from fond. Their last visit in 2019 ended in a 4-0 defeat to Zamalek SC in the CAF Confederation Cup. Al Ahly will be eager to inflict similar damage as they seek to progress to the group stages.

Adding further pressure, CAF has approved a request from Al Ahly to present their recently won Egypt Premier League trophy at the end of the match. This celebratory atmosphere is expected to fuel an already passionate home crowd, making the task even tougher for the visitors.

For Gor Mahia to stand any chance of advancing, they will need a flawless performance. They not only need to overcome the tactical superiority of Al Ahly but also their own internal issues. With the odds firmly stacked against them, the question remains: can Gor Mahia produce one of the greatest comebacks in African football history?