Record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia have confirmed that they will host the First Preliminary Round of their 24/25 CAF Champions League tie at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi and not outside the country as earlier feared.
K’Ogalo, who booked their ticket to the prestigious continental tournament after winning the 23/24 Football Kenya Federation Premier League title for a record-extending 21st time, are set to start their campaign in the First Preliminary Round where they take on South Sudan outfit Al Merreikh Bentiu.
The side currently coached by Brazilian tactician Leo Neiva, who took over from Johnathan McKinstry at the start of July 2024, will begin their journey with an away clash scheduled to take place on Sunday 18 August at the Juba Stadium.
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The return leg will then be played at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday 25 August, with the aggregate winner progressing to the Second Preliminary Round.
Earlier on, Nyayo was not among the stadiums approved by CAF to host the CAF Champions League or CAF Confederation Cup, leaving the Kenyan giants with no choice but to seek an alternative venue to stage their matches.
SportPesa Blog can however reveal that the team was given the green lights to host the match at Nyayo for the preliminary round.
“We were allowed to host the preliminary match at Nyayo just the same way Al Merreikh was allowed to host the game in South Sudan considering they do not have an approved stadium as well,” Gor Mahia CEO Raymond Oruo confirmed.
Winners of that First Preliminary Round tie will face Egyptian giants Al Ahly in the Second Preliminary Round.
Gor will be making their return to continental football for the first time since 2021 when they were denied a chance of making it to the Group Stage of the 21/22 CAF Confederation Cup courtesy of a 2-1 aggregate defeat against AS Otoho d’Oyo of Congo in the Second Preliminary Round.
K’Ogalo had been scheduled to play in the preliminary round of the 23/23 CAF Champions League having won the 22/23 title but were kicked out of the competition by CAF for failing to pay arrears owed to its former players.
Gor Mahia ready for 24/25 CAF Champions League
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First Preliminary Round fixtures
Al Merreikh (SUD) vs Gor Mahia FC (KEN)
Arta Solar7 (DJI) vs Dekadaha FC (SOM)
SC Villa Jogoo (UGA) vs Commercial Bank (ETH)
Vitalo’o FC (BUR) vs Young Africans (TAN)
Azam FC (TAN) vs APR FC (RWA)
Jiku FC (ZAN) vs Pyramids FC (EGY)
M.Swallows (ESW) vs C. Fer. Da Beira (MOZ)
Ngezi Platimun (ZIM) vs AS Maniema (RDC)
Nyasa Big Bullets (MAL) vs Red Arrows FC (ZAM)
African Stars (NAM) vs Jwaneng Galaxy (BOT)
Disciples FC (MAD) vs Orlando Pirates (RSA)
US Zilimadjou (COM) vs Rangers (NGR)
St. Louis (SEY) vs GDSE (ANG)
AS Douanes (BFA) vs Coton Benin (BEN)
AC Leopards (CGO) vs CR Belouizdad (ALG)
Victoria United (CMR) vs FC Samartex (GHA)
ASGNN (NIG) vs Raja Casablanca (MAR)
AS PSI (CHA) vs US Monastir (TUN)
Watanga FC (LBR)vs MC Alger (ALG)
Red Star (RCA) vs Djoliba Bamako (MLI)
CD Mongomo (EQG) vs Asko De Kara (TGO)
STD. D’Abidjan (CIV) vs Teungeuth FC (SEN)
Hafia / Milo (GUI) vs FC Nouadhibou (MTN)
Bo Rangers FC (SLE) vs San Pedro (CIV)
Libya 2 (LBY) vs Al Hilal (SUD)
Libya 1 (LBY) vs El Merreikh, Juba (SSD)
Remo Stars (NGR) vs AS FAR (MAR)
Preliminary round:
Home: August 16 – 18, 2024
Away: August 23-25, 2024
Round of 32:
Home: September 13-15, 2024
Away: September 20-22, 2024
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