Newly appointed Gor Mahia head coach Leo Neiva has called on his side to stay true to their game and impose themselves when they begin their 24/25 CAF Champions League journey against South Sudan’s Al Merreikh Bentiu in the First Preliminary Round.
K’Ogalo, who booked their ticket to the prestigious continental tourney after clinching a record-extending 21st title, begin with an away trip to Juba on 18 August before they host the second leg in Nairobi a week later.
Speaking before the team departed for South Sudan on Thursday, Neiva revealed what Gor Mahia need to get right if they are to stand any chance of progressing to the Second Preliminary Round where Egyptian giants Al Ahly await.
The tactician, who will be overseeing his first competitive match since taking over from Johnathan McKinstry at the start of July, made the revelation after having the benefit of watching Bentiu who also played in the 2024 CECAFA Kagame Cup that Gor also participated in back in Tanzania.
“Al Merreikh Bentiu are very strong with and without the ball. They have tall guys and put their focus on dominating physically and playing long balls. The game will be tough and that is why we need to be at it from the warm-up to the last minute.
I hope we go there and play our style by keeping the ball on the ground, playing our game and not allowing them to have their way. We should also play with full concentration and focus because the mental side will be very important,” the coach told SportPesa Blog.
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Gor Mahia ready for 24/25 CAF Champions League
Gor will be returning to the continental scene for the first time since 2021 and have had a long preseason that started with the Kagame Cup held in Dar es Salaam back in July.
The team then headed back to Tanzania for two friendly matches against Fountain Gate last week in preparation for the Champions League, Neiva satisfied with the adjustments the team has made since he took over.
“We are ready for this game after an amazing trip in Tanzania where we got two games that helped us to keep the unit together and to increase the harmony inside the field and out of it.
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We have also made some improvements tactically and physically and that is why I hope we can get a good result away even though we still have a lot of work to do,” he noted.
Gor are expected to miss the services of 23/24 Golden Boot winner Benson Omalla who completed his transfer to Lebanon side Safa Sporting Club.
The club has however been boosted by the return of Austin Odhiambo, the 23/24 Most Valuable Player, who is expected to make the trip amidst uncertainty over his future.
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