Gor Mahia’s continental campaign cut short by dominant Al Ahly

Kenyan champions Gor Mahia saw their CAF Champions League run come to an end after a 3-0 loss to Egyptian giants Al Ahly in the second leg played at the Cairo International Stadium on Saturday. The aggregate score stood at 6-0, as Gor Mahia had lost the first leg 3-0 in Nairobi the previous week.

Al Ahly's goals came from Rebi Salim, Wessam Abou, and Taher Mohammed, sealing the North African side's progression to the next round. Gor Mahia, facing a tough task after the heavy defeat in the first leg, struggled to find a breakthrough.

The absence of key players, including goalkeeper Kevin Omondi and Rooney Onyango, who featured in the first leg, added to Gor Mahia’s difficulties. Despite the high expectations for an intense clash following the first leg's action, the game started on a quiet note.

The first major chance of the match came in the 13th minute when a long ball from midfield found Percy Tau of Al Ahly. Tau broke free for a one-on-one with Gor Mahia's returning goalkeeper, Gad Mathews, but the keeper was quick to close him down. Shortly after, Mathews launched a long ball to Shariff Musa, who dribbled into Al Ahly’s box, but the defenders were quick to clear the danger.

As the half progressed, Gor Mahia’s Geoffrey Ochieng' was booked for a foul on Al Ahly’s Yahya El Idrissi, adding to the mounting pressure on the Kenyan side. Al Ahly took the lead in the 23rd minute when Rami Rabia, left unmarked, headed in from a corner kick.

Despite further attempts by Al Ahly, Mathews made several saves to keep the scoreline manageable for Gor Mahia. In the second half, the Egyptian side pressed harder, and Gor Mahia's defence struggled to keep up.

The pressure told in the 67th minute when a misplaced pass from Alpha Onyango gifted Yahya El Idrissi a clear chance. El Idrissi passed to Wessam Abou Ali, who easily tapped in to make it 2-0.

In the 89th minute, Taher Mohammed sealed the win with a well-taken goal after outpacing Geoffrey Ochieng' and beating Mathews from a tight angle. Despite a few close calls for more goals, Al Ahly comfortably saw out the match.

With their CAF Champions League campaign now over, Gor Mahia will shift their focus back to domestic action in the FKF Premier League.