Gor Mahia Coach Encourages Players to Use Al Ahly Match to Market Themselves
Gor Mahia coach Leonardo Neiva has urged his players to put on a strong performance against Al Ahly in Cairo, highlighting the importance of using the CAF Champions League match as a platform to showcase their talents to some of Africa’s biggest clubs.
Despite a 3-0 loss in the first leg, Neiva believes there is still much to play for in the return leg against the Egyptian giants. The Brazilian coach has encouraged his players to seize the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, as matches of this caliber can help them gain exposure and attract attention from top teams across the continent.
“On Saturday, this stadium will be completely full. It’s a big stage—the Egyptians are crazy about football, and this will be an amazing opportunity for both us and the players to adapt to this level of competition,” Neiva told SportPesa News. “Regardless of the result—whether we qualify or not—this game is crucial, especially for the players to gain experience, expose themselves, and show their talent. We have amazing players at Gor Mahia, and maybe, after this, they could receive big offers.”
Neiva is still proud of how his team performed in the first leg and believes they had a chance against the 12-time African champions, but costly mistakes proved to be their downfall.
Drawing inspiration from that performance, the coach believes that if his team can eliminate errors, they still stand a chance in the second leg. “In the first game, we suffered a heavy defeat in Nairobi, but the goals we conceded were due to mistakes. Al Ahly capitalized on those mistakes, but Egyptian fans and media told me they were surprised by our style of football—our possession and tempo,” Neiva added.
“Al Ahly were caught off guard because it’s rare to see them sitting back like they did. Even here in Cairo, we can play the same way.
“Remember, these players have gone two years without even playing an international friendly, which is why we are using this competition to gain valuable experience on how to approach matches at this level.”
The winner of the two-legged tie will advance to the group stages of the CAF Champions League.
