Gor Mahia coach Leonardo Neiva has promised to rein in on some of his players for lacking discipline and commitment ahead of their crucial Champions League encounter with Al Ahly.
Gor Mahia coach Leonard Neiva has promised to make changes to his squad not just to freshen the team but to rein in on some of his players who have lacked discipline and commitment.
K’Ogalo will face Al Ahly in the second leg of their CAF Champions League preliminary round match on Saturday evening which they need to overturn a three-goal deficit to advance to the group stages.
It is a tough task against Al Ahly who will be playing in front of their fans but while Neiva is still hoping for the best, he has hinted that some of his players are not showing commitment to the course, hence the need to crack the whip.
07:43 - 21.09.2024
Deafening noise, laser torches & red-hot flares: What awaits Gor Mahia against Al Ahly in Cairo
Gor Mahia are on ‘mission impossible’ against Al Ahly and their task will be made more difficult by the intimidating and hostile atmosphere at the 75,000-seater Cairo International Stadium.
“Kevin [Omondi]cannot play because he felt a little injury in his shoulder, and also, we are going to change some positions about the tactical way and also about the discipline and commitment,” Neiva told SportPesa News.
“Football is not just about the technical issues, it is also about mental, commitment, behaviour and attitude and that is why we do not like sometimes to put players out but what can we do?
“Tomorrow [Saturday], some players are just going to be out of the squad. We want commitment and effort.”
Gor Mahia were let down by mistakes in the first leg when Al Ahly took a 2-0 lead inside 20 minutes and Neiva feels it is the same strategy his team need to employ if they have to pull off an upset in the second leg.
“We should be looking for early goals like they did in Nairobi. They scored two easy goals, maybe we can do the same,” added the Brazilian tactician.
“If we score two early goals maybe in the first 20 minutes, we will change the history.”
07:54 - 21.09.2024
Gad Mathews: Why Gor Mahia will not be intimidated by ferocious Al Ahly crowd
Gor Mahia goalkeeper Gad Mathews has explained why the crowd at Cairo International Stadium will not intimidate them during their Champions League clash with Al Ahly.
The match will be played on Saturday evening (7pm) at the 75,000-seater Cairo International Stadium with K’Ogalo set to face one of the most hostile crowds in world football.