El Merriekh face a setback as two key players are set to miss Sunday's CAF Champions League clash, giving Gor Mahia a crucial advantage.
El Merriekh SC Bentiu fans and legends are a gutted lot after receiving news that two of their crucial players, Ivorian defender Coulibaly Alassane and goalkeeper Faoaz Jamal, will miss the upcoming CAF Champions League preliminary round against Gor Mahia.
This setback has sent ripples of frustration throughout the fanbase, especially given the critical timing ahead of the crucial match scheduled for Sunday, August 18 at Juba International Stadium.
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11:23 - 17.08.2024
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The absence of Alassane and Jamal comes at a particularly challenging time for El Merriekh, who were already under pressure to perform well in the early stages of the tournament.
According to sources close to the club, the pair was unable to complete their registration due to paperwork delays, missing the deadline on July 20.
This administrative hiccup means the team will have to face their Kenyan counterparts without two key members of their squad.
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18:46 - 16.08.2024
Gor Mahia & Kenya Police set for financial boost as CAF reveal rewards for preliminary round teams
Gor Mahia and Kenya Police are set to earn big from their participation in the Champions League and Confederation Cup after CAF announced prize money for preliminary round teams.
The news was first reported by South Sudan Sports Media, highlighting the timing issue with the international transfer window.
This development has sparked considerable debate and disappointment among El Merriekh supporters, who had high hopes for their team's prospects in the tournament.
On the other side, Gor Mahia, who recently arrived in Juba, seem to have found an unexpected advantage.
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13:02 - 15.08.2024
Rooney Onyango omitted from Gor Mahia's CAF Champions League squad as Italian deal looms
Rooney Onyango's surprise omission from Gor Mahia's squad for the CAF Champions League clash has raised questions ahead of the crucial match.
Gor Mahia's coach, Leonardo Neiva, has emphasized the importance of using the upcoming CECAFA Kagame Cup for gaining tactical insights and strengthening the team’s gameplay.
"I hope we can win our first game and cross over to play the giants of African football. We are around two years without playing international competition," Neiva remarked.
Gor Mahia’s last international appearance was back in 2021 against Zambia’s Napsa Stars, which ended in a disappointing exit from the tournament after a dramatic 98th-minute penalty by Zambian international Emmanuel Mayuka.
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Since then, Gor Mahia has been blocked from participating in continental inter-club competitions due to failing to meet club licensing requirements.
The history between Gor Mahia and continental competitions is significant, with the team being the only one from the CECAFA region to have lifted a continental title.
Their victory in 1987 against Tunisian side, Esperance, in the Nelson Mandela Cup, remains a high point in their history.
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This legacy of success is something that current players and fans are keen to emulate.
The stakes are high for both teams as El Merriekh could face the reigning champions, Al Ahly of Egypt, in the second round of qualification for the group stages if they advance past Gor Mahia.