Gor Mahia head coach Leonardo Neiva has criticized South Sudanese side Al Merreikh Bentiu for what he describes as time-wasting tactics during their first-leg encounter in the CAF Champions League preliminary round on Sunday afternoon in Juba.The Kenyan champions fell 1-0 to Merreikh, ahead of the second leg set for Sunday 25 August, at the Nyayo National Stadium. The aggregate winner of the tie will face reigning and record champions Al Ahly in the first round of the competition, with a spot in the group stage at stake.##NAJAVA_MECA_8275719##Mohamed El Feji scored the crucial goal for the home team, dealing Gor Mahia an undesirable start to their return to the continental stage. Now, they face the challenge of overturning the deficit when the two teams meet again in a week’s time in Nairobi.Coach Neiva expressed his disappointment with both the referees and, more importantly, with their opponents, specifically criticizing them for time-wasting after they took the lead in the 63rd minute.“In the first half, it was a good game for both teams. We started better and had three or four good opportunities. It was fair for both sides. However, in the second half, it’s unfortunate to say this, but this kind of game is not good for African football,” he said.Nick Mwendwa confident in Harambee Stars’ AFCON 2025 qualifying chances“They tried to stop and disrupt the play, especially after they scored the goal. After that, they didn’t want to play football anymore, which is sad for African football. At full-time, we needed at least seven minutes of added time, not the four minutes given by the referees.I am very surprised by this old-fashioned style of football. Win on the pitch, not through unfair tactics. This is not an excuse; they played well in the first half.”Gor Mahia will return to Nairobi to prepare for the return leg. They hope to have Rooney Onyango and Musa Masika available, whose passports have been confiscated by the Italian Embassy over forgery allegations, as well as Austin Odhiambo, who started on the bench after participating in only a few training sessions last week following his two-week absence.Nairobi City Stars keeper angling for Harambee Stars call up
