Football
Exclusive: Police and Gor Mahia confident of making to continental group stages despite Zamalek, Ahly standing in way
Gor Mahia and Kenya Police are optimistic about advancing to the group stages of the 2024-2025 CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup, despite facing strong opponents like Zamalek and Ahly.
Image Credits: YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP via Getty Images
Record league champions Gor Mahia and FKF Cup winners Kenya Police secured rather favorable draws for the preliminary round of the 2024-2025 CAF Champions League and the Confederation Cup respectively.
Gor Mahia were paired against South Sudanese champions El Merreikh Bentiu while Police will face Ethiopia Coffee FC.
While Gor will be returning to the Champions League after three years in the cold, Police will be making their first-ever appearance in club continental football.
Police determined to punch above weight
For a club that was playing in the Kenyan second tier slightly over four years ago, making it to CAF matches is considered a massive achievement but coach Iddi Salim believes it is not enough.
Police secured the Confederation Cup ticket following their 8-7 post-match penalties shootout win against KCB in the FKF Cup final staged two weeks ago.
Salim, says despite their inexperience in continental football, the club has the potential to eliminate the vastly experienced Ethiopian side and sail past the preliminary round.
"With good preparations, we believe we will progress past the first round. We will be facing a strong side that has experience in playing CAF matches but we are ambitious to advance further," the tactician told SportsBoom.com.
Should Police beat Ethiopia Coffee on aggregate, they will meet the real test in defending champions and African giants Zamalek of Egypt in the second round.
Salim, who has previously coached at such level, insists that, with solid planning and preparation, Zamalek are beatable.
"Impossible is nothing in the world of football. There no longer exists a favourite in continental football. I believe if we plan well, we will go all the way to the group stages," stated the former Harambee Stars goalkeepers' trainer.
Image Credit: People Daily
I don't think we will have a problem in adapting and fitting into the demands of the continental level.
Iddi Salim
Police skipper confident
Coach Salim's thoughts were backed by club skipper Musa Mohamed who remains confident of inspiring the club to attain the set goals in the tournament.
Just like Salim, Musa says solid preparations and beefing up the squad are the right ingredients for success in the tournament.
"The success of the team in the showpiece is dependent on how well we will prepare. From the pre-season, recruitment and focus. If we get it right, then we will punch above our weight," Musa told SportsBoom.com.
Police skipper confident
Coach Salim's thoughts were backed by club skipper Musa Mohamed who remains confident of inspiring the club to attain the set goals in the tournament.
Just like Salim, Musa says solid preparations and beefing up the squad are the right ingredients for success in the tournament.
"The success of the team in the showpiece is dependent on how well we will prepare. From the pre-season, recruitment and focus. If we get it right, then we will punch above our weight," Musa told SportsBoom.com.
Gor Mahia hopeful of breaking group stages jinx
Despite being regulars in the CAF Champions League, K'Ogalo have never qualified for the group stages.
The 21-time league winners are however hoping to write history in the new season despite the threat posed by defending champions Al Ahly of Egypt in the second round.
Captain Philemon Otieno says the team had learnt its lessons and will approach the new season with an elite mentality.
"Our path to the group stages is tough but with excellent preparation, we can upset the defending champions and make it," the experienced defender added.
Gor equipped ahead of Merreikh duel
The Kenyan giants will only face Ahly if they manage to eliminate Merreikh Bentiu in the preliminary round.
Gor got a glimpse of what the South Sudanese team will offer during a Kagame Cup match between them and APR on Friday night.
A section of Gor players and technical bench watched the match live at the Azam Sports Complex and Otieno was one of them.
"At least we picked some lessons from their game against APR. They are a good side and we can't afford to underrate them. A team that won the league title in their country is good enough," said the versatile defender.
Draw good for Gor Mahia
Coach Leonardo Neiva termed the draw good for the club. Meeting record champions Al Ahly in the second round excites the Brazilian coach, who was appointed to succeed Johnathan McKinstry.
“The draw is very good for us because we have a very young squad; we've stayed for two years without international competitions. We will try to expose our youth talents to the highest level of African football,” said Neiva.
The former Vipers coach believes it is possible for the club to beat Ahly. Gor is best remembered for humbling Zamalek 4-2 in 2019 against all odds.
“I'm also pleased about the North Africans coming, it's a strong zone with a different concept about football but we'll try our best, we can surprise our opponents, you remember Gor Mahia beat Zamalek in Nairobi. Of course, it's a tough match but we'll try our best, “he added.
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