Gor Mahia custodian Gad Mathews is confident of a good show in the do or die 24/25 CAF Champions League second-leg fixture against multiple winners Al Ahly that is scheduled for Saturday in Egypt.
The SportPesa-sponsored side will be hoping against hope as they seek to overturn the 3-0 defeat they suffered in the first leg which staged in Nairobi less than a week ago.
South African forward Percy Tau, who bagged a brace, and Rami Rabia were on the score sheet for Al Ahly in that encounter where K’Ogalo were made to pay for three costly mistakes.
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However, despite having a mountain to climb in order to make it to the next round, Mathews believes nothing is impossible.
The player, who was left out of the squad in last Sunday’s defeat, has revealed that the K’Ogalo camp is raring to go.
“It feels quite motivating to make it back to the team. It has been quite a rough journey but all I can say is that I thank God for this wonderful time that I am back. It is not my first time here, so the mood is quite good.
I can tell supporters that football is a game of 90 plus minutes. You never know what might happen. As much as I can see we are much psyched up and everyone is ready,” he told SportPesa Blog.
Gor Mahia train in Egypt
When asked whether the huge number of Al Ahly supporters that are expected to turn up for the match will affect their game, Matthews stated that they are mentally prepared for that.
“It is not a major concern actually because we are also used to a big crowd back home. So, we expect that and playing in that crowd is the big motivation that we can have,” added the experienced shot stopper.
The keeper’s return to the team is a big boost for Gor Mahia since he has previously featured in continental football before and won the 22/23 Golden Glove award.
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