And when it mattered most, Gor Mahia delivered.
In front of an expectant and demanding fanbase at Nyayo National Stadium, the 21-time champions, Kenya’s most decorated club pumped five goals against Al Merreikh Bentiu to progress to the 24/25 CAF Champions League Second Preliminary Round courtesy of a 5-2 aggregate win.
By the fulltime whistle in Nairobi, their 1-0 loss in Juba last Sunday seemed like a slip after all and not a fall.
In their impressive performance, the Leonardo Neiva-currently coached side demonstrated that truly it isn’t over till the fat lady sings as they showed incredible character, immeasurable determination and unrelenting effort to punch their ticket to the second and final qualification round against Egyptian giants Al Ahly in September.
However, at the start, it looked as though the Kenyan giants would have a huge mountain to climb when Samuel Akinbinu struck in the eighth minute against the run of play to leave Gor Mahia needing at least three goals to progress.
As the South Sudan side celebrated in one corner with a small contingent of their travelling fans, a cold shiver swept through the K’Ogalo fans.
Gor had started the match brightly, but Al Merreikh made their first shot count as they forced the ball over the line, throwing the ball in Gor Mahia’s court to respond if at all they could.
And respond they did as that goal marked the start of K’Ogalo’s comeback.
Play here and stand a chance of winning the over 378 Million SportPesa Mega Jackpot
Chris Ochieng restored parity just four minutes after conceding with a well-measured lob over Juma Amuk to restore hope of a possible comeback.
Gor, who gave no room to the South Sudanese side by pressing high up the pitch, then found a second in the 22nd minute with the returning Ronney Onyango, who missed the first leg due to documentation issues, delivering a fierce low cross into the area that Alpha Onyango guided into the back of the net.
K’Ogalo still needed a third goal with the tie at 2-2 on aggregate and it came in the 35th minute when Alphonce Omija beat the offside line to turn Austine Odhiambo’s free kick into the back of the net, sending Nyayo into a frenzy as they went into the break leading 3-2 on aggregate.
The second half saw Gor Mahia create four clear chances to score but poor finishing started sending some worry to their fans who knew too well that a one-goal difference wasn’t safe.
K’Ogalo would not rue those chances as Ronney got two late goals to kill the tie as the K’Ogalo faithful went home singing and chanting in praise of their beloved team.
Gor Mahia Team News
Starting XI: Kevin Omondi (GK), Paul Ochuoga, Geoffrey Ochieng, Alphonce Omija, Sylvester Owino, Alpha Onyango, Ronney Onyango, Enock Morrison, Chris Ochieng, Austine Odhiambo, Shariff Musa
Al Merreikh Bentiu: Juma Amuk (GK), Omer Suliman, Pal Kun, Chol Peter, Dominic Koni, Mohamed Elfaki, Shariff Makki, Atir Magor, Wani Vita, Samuel Temidayo, Wayi Godfrey
ALSO READ: SportPesa launch revolutionary Tujiamini Initiative to nurture talent
Tujiamini is an initiative that seeks to provide a platform, including up to 30M shillings in funding, for individual, team sports and various talent, in a year-long campaign that will go around the country in a move aimed at evoking the sense of pride in Kenya’s sports and talent ecosystem.
Applicants are urged to submit their applications through www.tujiamini.co.ke