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Despite going a goal down early on in the game, Gor Mahia toyed with El Merreikh all game and deservedly beat the Sudanese side 5-1 in the end.
Record FKFPL champions Gor Mahia will be playing Al Ahly in the second preliminary round of the 2024/2025 CAF Champions League after they tossed aside El Merreikh 5-2 on aggregate in a clash that took place at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Gor Mahia produced a dazzling display of dominance throughout the clash despite going a goal down early on, with goals from Chris Ochieng, Alpha Onyango , Alphonce Omija and a brace by Rooney Onyango enough to take them through to the next round.
The match started on a challenging note for K'Ogalo as they found themselves trailing just six minutes into the game. The early goal by El Merreikh threatened to derail Gor Mahia’s ambitions, leaving them with a mountain to climb.
However, the home side responded with determination and flair, quickly overturning the deficit.
Chris Ochieng sparked the comeback with a moment of brilliance, receiving a sublime pass from Austin Odhiambo before expertly chipping the ball over the advancing El Merreikh goalkeeper. The goal electrified the Nyayo crowd, with Gor Mahia fans erupting in celebration as their team leveled the score.
The equalizer only served to embolden Gor Mahia, who soon took the lead through Alpha Onyango. Onyango latched onto a cross from Paul Ochoga, rifling a sweet left-footed shot into the net.
The goal, however, was marred by a brief moment of controversy. Just moments before, Austin Odhiambo had been fouled in an off-the-ball incident, leaving him sprawled on the turf. The referee, opting to play the advantage, allowed the sequence to continue, leading to Onyango’s crucial strike.
The drama continued as El Merreikh’s goalkeeper required treatment after landing awkwardly while attempting to make a save. Gor Mahia players, suspecting time-wasting tactics from their opponents, engaged in a brief scuffle with El Merreikh players, prompting the referee to intervene and restore order.
Gor Mahia then extended their lead in the 34th minute through new signing Alphonce Omija. The towering defender rose highest to meet a corner, powering a header past the helpless goalkeeper.
It was a dream moment for Omija, who not only marked his first goal for the club but also put Gor Mahia in a commanding position heading into halftime.
In the second half, Gor Mahia maintained their momentum, creating several opportunities to further extend their lead. Sharrif Musa, in particular, was a constant threat down the left flank, repeatedly tormenting the El Merreikh full-back. Musa’s tireless efforts led to three clear chances, the first of which saw Ochieng narrowly miss the target, while the second ended with Musa hitting the side netting. Rooney Onyango also came close in the 60th minute after being played through by Austin Odhiambo, but his shot grazed the side of the net.
Record FKFPL champions Gor Mahia will be playing Al Ahly in the second preliminary round of the 2024/2025 CAF Champions League after they tossed aside El Merreikh 3-2 on aggregate in a clash that took place at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Gor Mahia produced a dazzling display of dominance throughout the clash despite going a goal down early on, with goals from Chris Ochieng, Alpha Onyango and new signing Alphonce Omija enough to take them through to the next round.
The match started on a challenging note for K'Ogalo as they found themselves trailing just six minutes into the game. The early goal by El Merreikh threatened to derail Gor Mahia’s ambitions, leaving them with a mountain to climb.
However, the home side responded with determination and flair, quickly overturning the deficit.
Chris Ochieng sparked the comeback with a moment of brilliance, receiving a sublime pass from Austin Odhiambo before expertly chipping the ball over the advancing El Merreikh goalkeeper. The goal electrified the Nyayo crowd, with Gor Mahia fans erupting in celebration as their team leveled the score.
The equalizer only served to embolden Gor Mahia, who soon took the lead through Alpha Onyango. Onyango latched onto a cross from Paul Ochoga, rifling a sweet left-footed shot into the net.
The goal, however, was marred by a brief moment of controversy. Just moments before, Austin Odhiambo had been fouled in an off-the-ball incident, leaving him sprawled on the turf. The referee, opting to play the advantage, allowed the sequence to continue, leading to Onyango’s crucial strike.
The drama continued as El Merreikh’s goalkeeper required treatment after landing awkwardly while attempting to make a save. Gor Mahia players, suspecting time-wasting tactics from their opponents, engaged in a brief scuffle with El Merreikh players, prompting the referee to intervene and restore order.
Gor Mahia then extended their lead in the 34th minute through new signing Alphonce Omija. The towering defender rose highest to meet a corner, powering a header past the helpless goalkeeper.
It was a dream moment for Omija, who not only marked his first goal for the club but also put Gor Mahia in a commanding position heading into halftime.
In the second half, Gor Mahia maintained their momentum, creating several opportunities to further extend their lead. Sharrif Musa, in particular, was a constant threat down the left flank, repeatedly tormenting the El Merreikh full-back. Musa’s tireless efforts led to three clear chances, the first of which saw Ochieng narrowly miss the target, while the second ended with Musa hitting the side netting.
Rooney Onyango also came close in the 60th minute after being played through by Austin Odhiambo, but his shot grazed the side of the net.
Musa unfortunately had to be stretched off the pitch in the 75th minute having picked up and unfortunate injury that forced Leo Neiva into making a couple of changes, bringing on Boniface Omondi and Samuel Kapen for the former Bidco man and Chris Ochieng respectively.
Rooney Onyango would then net the icing on the cake with a well placed shot past the goalkeeper after an excellent piece of combination play between Kapen, Odhiambo and the evergreen wingback cum-forward. Onyango would net again in stoppage time to make it 5-1 in the end.
In the end, the four goals would be enough to send Gor into the second round. They will now be facing Al Ahly in the first leg encounter on 13th September.
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