Gor Mahia head coach Charles Akonnor has identified fitness, tactical preparation and mental strength as key areas the record Kenyan champions are working on as they prepare for a demanding CAF Champions League first preliminary-round tie against Egyptian giants Pyramids FC.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsK’Ogalo will welcome Pyramids to Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday, 6 September, with kick-off set for 3:00 pm before travelling to Cairo, Egypt for the return leg a week later on Sunday, 13 September.For Akonnor, preparations have gone beyond tactical work, with the Ghanaian coach keen to ensure his charges are physically and mentally equipped for the intensity expected over the two legs.Why former Gor Mahia defender will miss Tusker's CAF Confederation Cup opener“We have been working on our tactics, our fitness and also the mental aspect because these are the kind of matches where you need to be fully prepared. We know what is expected of us on Sunday,” he stated.The encounter marks Gor Mahia's return to the CAF Champions League after missing out on continental football last season. K’Ogalo earned their place in this year's competition after reclaiming the FKF Premier League title last campaign, setting up an immediate stern examination against the 2025 African champions.##NAJAVA_MECA_9930418##Pyramids won their maiden Champions League title during the 2024/25 season and remain one of the continent's formidable sides, making Gor Mahia's opening assignment particularly demanding. The Egyptian side also dominated their 2025/26 group, collecting 16 points from six matches before advancing to the knockout stages.However, for Gor Mahia the tie represents more than simply a return to continental football. It is another opportunity to push beyond a preliminary-round barrier that has repeatedly stood between the record-extending league champions and the latter stages of Africa's premier club competition.Charlton manager hails transfer business involving signing of Harambee Stars midfielderTheir last Champions League appearance came in the 2024/25 season, when they navigated the first preliminary round against South Sudanese champions El Merreikh Bentiu.Gor Mahia suffered a 1-0 defeat in the first leg in Juba, leaving themselves with considerable work to do in the return fixture. They responded emphatically in Nairobi, producing a 5-1 victory to overturn the deficit and advance 5-2 on aggregate.##NAJAVA_MECA_9930458##That comeback set up a second preliminary-round meeting with record African champions Al Ahly. The Egyptian giants proved too strong, winning 3-0 in Nairobi before completing another 3-0 victory in Cairo to send Gor Mahia out 6-0 on aggregate.The experience nevertheless provided a valuable lesson for K’Ogalo, who now return with a fresh opportunity to go further.Akonnor acknowledges the magnitude of the assignment and the quality of the opposition but believes Gor Mahia's players have what it takes to compete.History as Harambee Starlets captain qualifies for UEFA Champions League“Pyramids have good players, and they have experience in African competitions. We respect them, and this match will also give our players a chance to fight for their places in the national team,” he added.The coach has further challenged his players to maintain discipline throughout the contest, insisting that collective effort and concentration will be crucial if they are to frustrate the visitors.“We have to be disciplined, stay together and fight for every ball. If we do what we have been training and play with confidence, then we can get a positive result,” Akonnor said.##NAJAVA_MECA_9930417##The timing of the fixture presents another challenge for Gor Mahia, with uncertainty surrounding the start of the domestic league leaving the champions short of competitive action.Nevertheless, the Ghanaian national will be banking on his squad's continental experience and home advantage to secure a result capable of giving them an advantage before the decisive return leg in Cairo.The stakes extend beyond simply eliminating Pyramids. Gor Mahia's ultimate objective will be to negotiate the preliminary rounds and reach the group stage, where they would have the opportunity to compete regularly against African giants.Tusker coach reveals lessons learned after accompanying players to watch Malkia StrikersCAF's 2026/27 calendar maintains the preliminary-round structure, with the first round followed by a second preliminary round before the group phase begins in November.Should K’Ogalo eliminate the Egyptian giants, they will face either South Sudan's El Merriekh Bentiu or Somalia's Heegan SC in the second preliminary round.
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