*Undated
While Tanzanians are celebrating Simba SC's qualification to the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup for the third straight year, Kenyan clubs were bundled out of the competition at the play-off stage.
Gor lost 2-1 on aggregate to AS Otoho d'Oyo of the Republic of Congo, while Tusker went down 0-1 to CS Sfaxien of Tunisia.
For Gor, the loss means the club missed out on a Ksh 27 million grant from CAF meant for teams which qualify for the group stage of the Confederation Cup. Teams in the CAF Champions League group stage are guaranteed Ksh 54 million.
Gor Mahia is the last Kenyan club to feature in the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup in the 2018/19 season. The team lost 7-1 on aggregate to RS Berkane of Morocco in the quarter-final stage. "We now have to learn from the past because we didn't play well compared to our first leg in Congo. Coming back home for the return leg, the players indeed had pressure." Assistant coach Sammy 'Pamzo' Omollo stated while speaking exclusively to Teamkenya.co.ke.
"The pressure of proceeding to the group stages of the CAF Confederations Cup and also the large prize that was at stake." Pamzo explained.
"For a long time also we have been playing in empty stadiums but last weekend things were quite different considering the fact that fans were fully packed; something I'm really grateful for. What we can do moving forward is learn from the setback, also the good thing is that we have a full squad for the upcoming match on Thursday….everyone can now play."
"Remember in the CAF matches we had limited options however League games will be better as registered players are available. Philemon Otieno is slowly recovering from an injury and will soon be fit and back on the pitch. We are currently League contenders having not lost any game and hope to bring the title back home as is very possible." Pamzo concluded. Gor couldn't register enough players for the continental showpiece between July and August in the transfer window as the club was serving Fifa embargo for failing to pay salary arrears owed to Dickson Ambudo, Shafiq Batambuze and former coach Steven Pollack.
Even after clearing with the duo in October, the club was banned for two years just weeks later for failing to pay Ksh 3 million owed to Ghanaian midfielder Jackson Owusu. That means the earliest Gor Mahia can sign a player is in January 2023 even if they clear Owusu's dues.
In the two previous seasons, ‘K'Ogalo’ have exited the competition in the play-off stage in the hands of DC Motema Pembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Napsa Stars of Zambia.
Tusker lost 5-0 to Zamalek SC leading to their relegation from this season’s CAF Champions League, and Simba were also bundled out on away goals after a 3-3 aggregate tie against Jwaneng Galaxy of Botswana.