Gor Mahia’s continental opponents due in the country
Gor Mahia will be eyeing a spot in the round of 16 of the Caf Champions League when they play against AC Leopards of Congo-Brazzaville at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday.
Their Congolese opponents, who have been camping in Douala, Cameroon ahead of the tie, are scheduled to arrive in the country on Friday evening for the clash.
K’Ogalo’s fans are already rallying up support on social media encouraging each other to turn up in large numbers during the match.
Striker George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo, on Thursday told Nairobi News that team confidence is high and that they will approach the match with a winning mentality as they seek a place in the next round.
“Everyone is working hard to ensure that we get a good result at home and I think we can win here. I can’t say that I will score or not, but I hope we do our best to ensure a win,” Odhiambo said.
Odhiambo scored a last gasp header during their preliminary round second leg match away to CNaPS of Madagascar a fortnight ago in a match the team lost 3-2 but advanced on the away goal rule having won the first leg math 1-0 in Nairobi.
FAVOURITES
The 14 time Kenyan champions are however aware of the enormous task ahead especially considering that AC Leopards is a club well accomplished both at home and in the continental front.
They have won the Congolese Premier League twice, and pride themselves in having won the 2012 edition of the CAF Confederation cup.
The team sent an advanced team of three officials into the country at the beginning of the week to monitor Gor Mahia’s training sessions ahead of the Sunday tie.
Team manager Didas Makoundou, who was among the three in the advance party, downplayed the team’s favourites tag for the match saying the team will do its best to win the match.
“If indeed we are favorites then that is only on paper. Matches are played in the pitch and how we perform within the 90 minutes will determine the result we get so we are not considering the favorites tag at all,” he said.
The match will be broadcast live on SuperSport, with tickets going for Sh300 (terraces) and Sh1, 000 (VIP section).
Whoever wins this two leg tie will meet the winner of the match between Nigeria’s Enyimba FC and Samouha FC of Egypt.