Everything you need to know about Gor Mahia’s CAF Champions League opponents

Gor Mahia's return to the CAF Champions League has handed them one of the toughest draws of this season's competition after they were paired against Egyptian moneybags Pyramids FC in the opening preliminary round of the 2026/27 campaign.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsK'Ogalo, who are back in Africa's premier club competition after missing out on last season's edition, will host the first leg in Nairobi on the weekend of Friday, 4 to Sunday, 6 September, before travelling to Egypt for the decisive return fixture a week later.The winner over the two legs will progress to the second preliminary round, where either Somalia's Heegan FC or South Sudan's Al Merrikh Bentiu await in the battle for a place in the lucrative group stage.TACTICAL ANALYSIS: How Rayon overcame Gor Mahia to prolong the Kenyan giants 41-year title waitWhile Gor Mahia boast one of Africa's richest football histories, standing in their way is a club that has rapidly grown from a little-known side into one of the continent's biggest football forces.From Al Assiouty Sport to Pyramids FCBased in New Cairo, Pyramids FC is among the youngest elite clubs in African football. The club was founded in 2008 as Al Assiouty Sport, initially representing Egypt's Assiut Governorate.For years, they quietly climbed through the country's football pyramid before earning promotion to the Egyptian Premier League.##NAJAVA_MECA_9884009##Everything changed in the summer of 2018 when Saudi billionaire Turki Al-Sheikh, then chairman of the Saudi General Sports Authority, acquired the club, relocated it to Cairo and rebranded it as Pyramids FC, instantly turning the modest side into one of the continent's most ambitious football projects.A year later, ownership changed hands again after Emirati businessman Salem Al Shamsi took over in 2019, maintaining the club's ambitious vision of challenging Egyptian football's traditional giants, Al Ahly and Zamalek.The spending spree that stunned African footballFew clubs have reshaped the African transfer market the way Pyramids did following their takeover.Ugandan signing reveals what AFC Leopards need to end 28-year league title droughtThe Egyptian side immediately flexed their financial muscle, embarking on one of the most expensive recruitment drives ever witnessed on the continent.During the 2018 transfer window alone, the club reportedly spent close to €33 million, equivalent to approximately Ksh5.1 billion, while their total expenditure on player recruitment eventually surpassed €50 million, translating to nearly Ksh7.8 billion.The spending spree sent shockwaves across African football and established Pyramids as one of the continent's biggest spenders.Former Gor Mahia keeper reveals why he joined Nairobi UnitedThe club's headline acquisition was Brazilian winger Marcos Keno, who joined from Palmeiras in a deal worth €8.5 million (approximately Ksh1.33 billion), a transfer that remains one of the most expensive ever completed by an African club.Pyramids continued to make headlines by signing Peruvian international Cristian Benavente from Royal Charleroi for €6 million (around Ksh936 million), Brazilian forward Carlos Eduardo from Goiás for €5.4 million (approximately Ksh842 million), Brazilian midfielder Rodriguinho from Corinthians for €5.1 million (about Ksh796 million) and Ecuadorian striker Jhon Cifuente from Universidad Católica for €4.35 million (roughly Ksh679 million), underlining the club's willingness to spend heavily in pursuit of success.Steady rise into Egypt's eliteThe heavy investment quickly translated into results. Within a few seasons, Pyramids had established themselves among the country's elite clubs, consistently competing with Al Ahly and Zamalek for major honours.##NAJAVA_MECA_9883859##Although they are yet to win the Egyptian Premier League title, they have come agonisingly close, finishing second in five of the last six seasons, highlighting the remarkable consistency they have developed since their transformation.Silverware, however, has not been in short supply.The club lifted the Egypt Cup in the 2023/24 and 2025/26 seasons and also claimed the Egyptian Super Cup during the 2022/23 campaign, further cementing their place among Egypt's football heavyweights.STARS ABROAD: Odhiambo assists in win as Vyner's Wrexham suffer Carabao Cup exitContinental breakthroughPyramids first announced themselves on the African stage during the 2019/20 CAF Confederation Cup.Competing in only their second continental campaign, they reached the final but fell at the final hurdle after suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Morocco's RS Berkane.Rather than derail the project, the disappointment became the catalyst for even greater ambition.##NAJAVA_MECA_9883832##The club continued strengthening its squad, refining its structure and building a team capable of challenging for the biggest prize in African club football.That ambition was rewarded during the 2024/25 CAF Champions League, where Pyramids defeated South African giants and defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns 3-2 on aggregate to lift their maiden continental crown.Their success did not end there. The Egyptian outfit went on to claim the CAF Super Cup, edging Moroccan side RS Berkane 1-0 courtesy of a solitary strike from prolific Congolese forward Fiston Mayele, a victory that firmly established them as Africa's newest football powerhouse.Former Kisumu All Stars coach joins Mfalme FC ahead of debut NSL campaignDespite reaching the summit of African football, Pyramids endured a disappointing title defence last season after bowing out of the CAF Champions League in the quarter-finals, losing 3-2 on aggregate to Morocco's AS FAR Rabat.That setback has only heightened the club's determination heading into the new campaign as they seek to reclaim the continental crown they won just two seasons ago.The draw for Gor Mahia presents an immediate test against one of Africa's fastest-rising football powers.##NAJAVA_MECA_9878669##Charles Akonnor's men will need to produce one of the club's finest continental performances in recent years if they are to overcome the Egyptian powerhouse and keep alive their dream of reaching the CAF Champions League group stage.