Gor Mahia midfielder Alpha Onyango is setting his sights on CAF Champions League success as his team prepares for their upcoming preliminary round clash against South Sudanese side Al Merreikh Bentiu.
The first leg of this encounter is set to take place at the Juba National Stadium on Sunday, August 18. Onyango expressed confidence in the team’s potential, especially with the guidance of their new coach and the fresh tactics introduced during pre-season training abroad.
“The progress has been good. We have a new coach, and our pre-season training outside the country has exposed us to new styles, different from what we had last season. This has been beneficial, and we are in a good place as we approach the next game,” Onyango remarked.
Gor Mahia has strengthened its squad with strategic additions, including Alphonce Omija, Ghanaian Enock Morrison, Ugandan Chris Akena, Congolese Gedeon Bendeka, and Samuel Kapen from Nairobi City Stars. These new recruits are expected to enhance the team’s competitiveness on the continental stage. Onyango is particularly determined to make a significant impact in the Champions League and demonstrate his abilities on a larger platform.
“I believe we have the potential to achieve great things with this squad, and we are hopeful of advancing beyond the preliminary round to the next stage,” he added. “My goal is to showcase my talent in the Champions League and prove my worth. Our target is to avoid defeat in the away game, and then aim for a strong result at home,” he concluded.
Should Gor Mahia overcome Al Merreikh Bentiu in this two-legged preliminary round, they will face a daunting challenge in the next stage—defending champions Al Ahly of Egypt.
Al Ahly, the most successful club in the history of the competition with 12 titles, will present a significant hurdle, underscoring the tough journey ahead for Gor Mahia as they strive to make their mark in the tournament. Gor Mahia’s last continental campaign in 2021 ended in disappointment when they were eliminated by Zambia’s Napsa Stars. Despite a strong performance, a last-minute penalty by Zambian international Emmanuel Mayuka in the return leg sealed their fate, leading to a 2-0 aggregate defeat.
