Gor Mahia coach Neiva unbowed despite drubbing at hands of Al Ahly

Gor Mahia head coach Leonardo Neiva has expressed satisfaction with his players' performances despite a disappointing exit from the CAF Champions League, where they were eliminated by African powerhouse Al Ahly 6-0 on aggregate.

The Brazilian tactician acknowledged the challenges of facing a club of Al Ahly’s calibre, particularly highlighting their superior facilities, football quality, and financial strength.

In a reflection with Citizen Digital, Neiva highlighted the team’s resilience despite the setbacks.

"It’s not easy to play away to Al Ahly and take a point. They are very strong and they are the reigning African champions," he stated.

Even though Gor Mahia struggled in both legs, losing 3-0 at home and away, Neiva praised his squad’s effort.

"We conceded two early goals which disrupted our rhythm; it felt like we collapsed for a moment. However, I am satisfied with their behaviour and performance," he added.

Neiva’s focus has now shifted entirely to the Kenya Premier League (KPL), where Gor Mahia will kick off their campaign against Mathare United at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Saturday, September 28, 2024.

He believes the lessons learned from their CAF journey will serve them well in the domestic league.

“We are ready for the new season, we keep the same spirit and I believe I am going to have a good debut, we have our target although we are late but we must keep the spirit to defend our title,” Neiva asserted.

Captain Philemon Otieno echoed his coach’s sentiments, stating that while the preparations for the CAF Championships were thorough, the quality of their opponents proved too much.

He remains optimistic about the upcoming KPL season, emphasizing the team’s goal to start strong against Mathare United.

"We are not under any pressure and we can assure our fans that we are going to bounce back and have a good KPL start," Otieno said.

Gor Mahia will face a Mathare United side that has struggled this season, accumulating only two points from three matches.

Meanwhile, KCB lead the KPL standings with seven points, closely followed by Kariobangi, while AFC Leopards sit third with six points.

Otieno acknowledged the strong starts by KCB and AFC Leopards, highlighting the competitiveness of this year’s league.