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Gor Mahia coach Leonardo Neiva wants his players to put up a great display against Al Ahly in Cairo so that they can market themselves to some of the continent’s big teams.
Gor Mahia coach Leonardo Neiva feels there is still a lot for his team to play for in their CAF Champions League return leg match against Al Ahly despite their 3-0 first leg defeat.
K’Ogalo are in Cairo for the return match and face a dauting task against the Egyptian giants at what will be an intimidating venue but Neiva has told his players to grab the opportunity and showcase their skills ad it is through such matches that they can market their talents to some of the biggest teams on the continent.
“On Saturday this stadium will be completely full. It is a big show, the Egyptians are crazy about football and this will also be an amazing opportunity for us and the players to adapt to this level of football,” Neiva told SportPesa News.
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05:23 - 20.09.2024
'No barrier stops us from cancelling first leg result' - Gor Mahia coach defiant ahead of Al Ahly rematch in Cairo
Gor Mahia coach Leonardo Neiva believes Al Ahly pairing was unfair but trusts his chargesto dramatically overturn 3-0 first leg loss away in Cairo on Saturday.
“Never mind the result, if we qualify or not, this game is still [good] especially for the players to get experience and to expose themselves and also to show themselves because we have amazing players in Gor Mahia and maybe later, they can get a big proposal.”
Neiva is still proud of how his team played in the first leg and feels that they had a good chance against the 12-time African champions but only mistakes let them down.
The Brazilian coach is therefore drawing inspiration from that performance and feels that if they play the same way and cut out mistakes, they still have a chance.
“The first game we suffered a big defeat in Nairobi but the goals we conceded were all mistakes. Al Ahly created three goals all from mistakes and that is why fans and media from Egypt told me that we surprised them a little about the style of football we played with possession and good tempo,” he added.
“Also, Al Ahly were surprised because you do not always see Al Ahly sitting back like they did and even here in Cairo, we can do the same way.
“Remember these players have stayed two years without even an international friendly and that is why we are using this competition to provide experience on how to approach this kind of level.”
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06:15 - 19.09.2024
CAF Champions League: Bryson Wangai & Gad Mathews included as Gor Mahia take 22 to Cairo for return leg against Al Ahly
Wangai and Mathews, who had notably been absent from the squad recently, have been included in the 22-man travelling party to Cairo for their second preliminary round CAF Champions League return leg against Al Ahly.
The winner of the two-legged tie qualify for the group stages of the competition.
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