Gor Mahia boss Leonardo Martins Neiva has rallied the team to make their home advantage count when they lock horns with African giants Al Ahly for a place in the Group Stage of the 2024/25 CAF Champions League.
K’Ogalo host the Egyptian giants in the first leg slated to take place on Sunday 15 September at Nyayo National Stadium before the second leg takes place in Egypt on 22 September, with the aggregate winner of the tie progressing to the Group Stage that comes with a financial package of USD 700,000 (approximately Ksh 90,278,451).
Speaking ahead of the first leg, the Brazilian tactician called on his team to raise their game to the next level as he expressed his satisfaction with the preparation they have made over the international break.
“It is a big game ahead and a big chance for us. I am very satisfied with the preparations, especially in the last two weeks and we are ready for the game for sure.
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We have a very big mission when we play against Al Ahly at home. For sure it is going to be a tough but we are ready and our aim is to win the game over here.
To do that, we should play at a very high level and try to maintain it. Everyone knows Al Ahly is the top club in Africa according to the CAF rankings, but football is eleven against eleven.
We should push ourselves to try and maintain high level football so as to be able to play against them and try to win here because it is not going to be so easy for us when we go away. At home, we should just think about winning,” the coach told SportPesa Blog.
Gor Mahia step up preparations
The head coach also appealed to the fans to turn up in large numbers and promised that the team will give their best.
“We request for the support from the fans because they are like an extra player for sure. I hope this stadium (Nyayo) can be completely full because I know in Egypt they will fill the grounds.
With a full stadium, we promise to try our best in the match because the boys are very dedicated and have shown a high level of commitment,” Neiva concluded.
K’Ogalo set up the tie against Al Ahly following an impressive 5-2 aggregate win over South Sudan’s Al Merreikh Bentiu in the First Preliminary Round.
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