Gor Mahia cleared to play in CAF Champions League

by Graeme Jackson

Saturday Jun 29, 2024. 13:00

Kenyan Premier League winners Gor Mahia have officially been granted the license to participate in the 2024-25 edition of CAF Champions League.

The news is a great relief to K’Ogalo, who were denied the license in 2023 and missed out on playing in last season’s premier continental competition.

The draw for the qualifying rounds of the Champions League will be held on Thursday 4 July, with Gor Mahia eagerly awaiting news of their opponents as they look to become the first Kenyan team to reach the group phase of the competition.

“Green light. Cleared by Football Kenya Federation to participate in CAF interclub competitions 2024-2025. Ready to go,” the club announced on their official social media platforms.

In addition, outgoing Gor Mahia coach Jonathan McKinstry (who will be leaving the club at the end of June to focus full time on his duties with the Gambian national team) believes the team could set a watermark for Kenyan football in the Champions League.

“The team can compete. The first thing people need to understand on the continental is that the landscape has changed significantly,” McKinstry told Citizen TV, as quoted by Pulse Sports.

“No Kenyan team has ever got to the group stages of the champions league. Should Geoffrey [Ochieng and co] leave and for that achievement, it will be something for the history books. We should not belittle that challenge, which is huge for the guys.”

McKinstry added, “The team is compact and close. Naturally in every transfer window, everyone likes to see signings. Supporters and journalists love transfer deadline days.

“A team likes three or four new additions, but not 10, because 10 new additions destablises a team for a period of time. When you are going into Champions League qualification games, you want stability, not destability.

“We want good players in every department, defence, midfield and attack – you want competition for places- and I am sure the club will bring in a few. I know some names that are potentially joining and I know the team will be stronger next year.”