AFC Leopards chairman Boniface Ambani has issued his analysis of Gor Mahia’s 2-0 defeat to Pyramids FC in the CAF Champions League preliminary round, a result he partly attributed to the prolonged delay of the FKF Premier League kickoff.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsK’Ogalo struggled to match the pace and rhythm of the Egyptian outfit during the first half at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday before producing a much stronger display after the break.##NAJAVA_MECA_9945659##The Ingwe boss feels the difference was evident and argues that regular domestic competition would have given K'Ogalo a better platform to face Pyramids.The domestic top flight remains on hold amid the court battle between Kariobangi Sharks and Football Kenya Federation (FKF), leaving clubs without competitive league action as they prepare for the new campaign and continental assignments.Speaking on NTV’s Sport On, the AFC Leopards chairman suggested that Gor Mahia’s performance against Pyramids illustrated the consequences of entering such a demanding fixture without sufficient competitive football.Former streetboy and fisherman unshaken after Kenya U20 omission due to lack of passport“I watched the Gor Mahia match against Pyramids, and I kept thinking that if Gor Mahia had played three or four matches in the Premier League, I don’t think they would have had such a hard time against the Pyramids guys,” he said.Ambani’s immediate concern was Gor's continental preparation, with the former Kenya international questioning whether the CECAFA Kagame Cup in Rwanda could provide an adequate substitute for regular domestic football.The AFC Leopards chairman argued that K'Ogalo had not completed a proper pre-season programme before travelling for the CECAFA tournament.Former Sports PS arrested over 2018 CHAN millions as Nick Mwendwa walks freeTherefore, it made it difficult for the competition to provide the preparation required for their CAF Champions League campaign.“I looked at the second half, and they came up storming. What does that show you? It shows you this is a team that has been lacking playing time,” he said.“I cannot say that going to CECAFA in Rwanda built up the team well. When Gor Mahia went to CECAFA, they had not even done a proper pre-season. ##NAJAVA_MECA_9945933##They only tried whatever they could do in Rwanda and got to the finals. But in terms of preparation for the continental matches, they are still very far away.”The issue, however, goes beyond Gor Mahia’s continental campaign.The former Yanga forward believes the continued absence of domestic football could eventually create a similar problem for Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy as Kenya builds towards the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.Kenya will co-host AFCON 2027 alongside Uganda and Tanzania, placing greater importance on having a pool of match-ready local players from which McCarthy can select his squad.Abud Omar on how delayed league kick-off is hurting FKF Premier LeagueWith the FKF Premier League yet to kick off, the Harambee Stars technical bench has limited opportunities to assess home-based players in competitive matches and establish their current fitness and form.Ambani believes the prolonged break could leave the national team coach facing difficult decisions as preparations for the continental tournament gather pace.##NAJAVA_MECA_9945649##“So, to me, it’s affecting the national team. It’s also affecting the teams that are playing in the local league. I expected that by the time Gor Mahia were going to play Pyramids, they should have played some league matches already."“Now the national team is here, and you don’t even know. Even McCarthy himself doesn’t know which players are fit.”
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