In a match that will kick off at 4pm at Kasarani stadium on Sunday, Gor Mahia will face Nigerian side Lobi Stars as they seek for a place in the lucrative CAF Champions League group stage.
The winner of this tie will qualify for the group stage and get Sh54 million while the loser will face a team from the CAF Confederation Cup in a two legged play-off for a place in the CAF Confederations Cup group stage.
Gor Mahia will be going into this match with renewed confidence after their league win against Kericho’s ZOO FC and the confirmation of Hassan Oktay as the head coach to lead them.
A match against Nigerian opposition will always be a tough one. The last time Gor Mahia faced off with a Nigerian team was way back in 1980, in the second round of the African Champions Cup (the predecessor of today’s CAF Champions League).
Gor Mahia had beaten Bendel Insurance 2-1 away in Nigeria with goals by George Yoga and legendary captain Austin Oduor. Bendel however had the last laugh when they won the return leg 3-2 at City stadium and qualified on the away goal rule.
With Ivorian Ephrem Guikan ineligible to play, Gor Mahia will be hoping that Jacques Tuyisenge will be fit enough to play the Nigerians. Tuyisenge was the club’s top scorer in the continent last season with four goals.