Gor Mahia Arrives In Algeria To Play CR Belouzidad

Gor Mahia confirmed Friday afternoon that they arrived in Algeria ahead of their African Champions League first-round tie against CR Belouizdad.

K’Ogalo are set to lock horns with the Algerian side in the first leg match set to be played at the August 20, 1955 Stadium from 10.45 pm on Saturday.

The second leg will get underway on Tuesday, January 5 at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

The Kenyan champions were set to play Belouizdad on December 23 but the tie aborted as K’Ogalo were unable to access the locked Algerian air space.

After a long trip to North Africa, Gor Mahia arrived safely on Friday afternoon and can now begin preparations for Saturday’s evening, eager to complete the job at hand.

“Though it was long, we’ve had the best journey so far. Much improved service from Qatar Airways. The stop-over was less than two hours in Doha. The boys are upbeat and we will take some rest before having a feel of the pitch later, probably the same time the match will be played tomorrow,” said Gor Mahia Team Manager Jolawi Obondo.

Gor Mahia will be without the services of influential captain Kenneth Muguna and striker Nicholas Kipkirui who didn’t travel with the team as they are nursing injuries.

If K’Ogalo come out with a positive result, they will be one step away from making to the African Champions League group stages for the first time in their history.

Gor Mahia squad:

Gad Mathew, Philemon Otieno, Michael Apudo, Charles Momanyi, Juma Andrew, Ernest Wendo, Sydney Ochieng, Samuel Onyango

Tito Okello, Jules Ulimwengu, Geoffrey Ochieng, Bonface Oluoch, Kevin Wesonga, Joachim Oluoch, Nicholas Omondi, Benson Omalla, Frank Odhiambo, Clifton Miheso

Technical Staff:  Samuel Omollo, Patrick Odhiambo, Jolawi Obondo, Willis Ochieng, Victor Nyaoro, Frederick Otieno

Officials: Dolfina Odhiambo, Gerphas Okuku.