Gor Mahia have one foot in the CAF Confederation Cup Playoffs after coming from behind to beat Sudanese outfit Al Ahly Merowe 3-1 courtesy of goals from Samuel Onyango, Benson Omala and Jules Ulimwengu. The match was staged at the New Suez Stadium in Suez, Egypt on Friday 15 October after CAF failed to approve any stadium in Sudan.Gor Mahia enjoyed huge spells on the ball in the opening minutes as they aimed to keep possession and restrict the Sudanese outfit from getting their hold of the ball.FULL TIME: Al Ahly Merowe 1 – 3 Gor Mahia ( Sammy, Omalla, Jules) What a way to start our CAF Cenfed campaign…💪💪💪. We thank God for the win. #Sirkal | #Betsafe— GOR MAHIA FC (@OfficialGMFC) October 15, 2021 The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Cup champions could have broken the deadlock in the 22nd minute when Jules Ulimwengu fed Benson Omala but the former Western Stima forward could not keep his effort low.A defensive mix up between the centre back pairing of Harun Shakava and Frank Odhiambo led to Merowe’s first chance of the game as neither could decide on who to clear the ball leaving it to Ahmed Saeed but the forward narrowly missed the target.The chance was an advertisement of the first goal as a well-worked counter-attack caught the Gor Mahia defence out of shape as Saeed had acres of space and time to bring the ball under his control and pick his spot to hand Merowe the lead in the 42nd minute.Gor Mahia came out firing on all cylinders in the second half and were handed a route back into the tie in the 54th minute when Samuel Onyango’s cross was handled inside the box with the referee pointing to the spot.Onyango stepped up to take the spot-kick and displayed nerves of steel to convert his penalty in the 56th minute despite the keeper guessing the right way. 🟢 | TEAM NEWS The lineup to take on Al Ahly Merowe of Sudan in CAF Cenfed match tonight (8pm). Starting team:Gad,Shakava, Frank,Nkata, Philemon,Wendo,Macharia, Alpha, Omalla, Sammy, Jules.Subs: Caleb, Joachim, John, Sydney, Victor, Nyawir#Sirkal | #Betsafe pic.twitter.com/FTpgIYdNlo— GOR MAHIA FC (@OfficialGMFC) October 15, 2021 With the wind in their sails, Mark Harrison’s charges took only 10 minutes to complete the comeback when Omala nodded in Samuel Onyango’s headed pass after Fred Nkata whipped in a cross from the left channel. Jittery after letting their lead slip, Merowe shot themselves in the foot as they allowed Omala space to unselfishly set up Jules Ulimwengu who made no mistake from his first time effort. Gor Mahia held on to the 3-1 win to ease their task ahead of the second leg slated for the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday 24 October.
