Gor Mahia face potential clash against Egyptian giants Al Ahly after 24/25 CAF Champions League draw

Record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia could potentially meet African giants Al Ahly in the Second Preliminary Round of the 24/25 CAF Champions League after being set in the path of the record African champions.

In the draw conducted on Thursday in Cairo, Gor Mahia are slated to face South Sudanese outfit Al Merreikh Bentiu in the First Preliminary Round with the winners of that two-legged tie set to take on Al Ahly in the Second Preliminary Round.

K’Ogalo secured the ticket to the continent's top inter-club competition after retaining the Football Kenya Federation Premier League title in the 23/24 campaign, lifting the gong for a record-extending 21st time.

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The Leo Neiva-currently coached side will be making their return to continental football for the first time since 2021 where they were denied a chance of making it to the Group Stage of the 21/22 CAF Confederation Cup courtesy of a 2-1 aggregate defeat against AS Otoho d'Oyo of Congo in the Second Preliminary Round.

K’Ogalo had been scheduled to play in the preliminary round of the 23/23 CAF Champions League having won the title last year but were kicked out of the competition by CAF for failing to pay arrears owed to its former players.

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Due to CAF's seeding process this year, defending champions Al Ahly (Egypt), Esperance de Tunis (Tunisia), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), TP Mazembe (DR Congo), and Petro de Luanda (Angola) are the five exempted clubs and will therefore only begin their participation in the second preliminary phase.

Orlando Pirates, who are just one of two South African teams who have won the Champions League alongside Sundowns, will face Disciples FC.

Tanzanian champions Young Africans, meanwhile, are set to take on Vitalo'o of Uganda.

Moroccan top-flight winners last season Raja Casablanca have been drawn against ASGNN of Nigeria.

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First Preliminary Round fixtures

Al Merreikh (SUD) vs Gor Mahia FC (KEN)

Arta Solar7 (DJI) vs Dekadaha FC (SOM)

SC Villa Jogoo (UGA) vs Commercial Bank (ETH)

Vitalo'o FC (BUR) vs Young Africans (TAN)

Azam FC (TAN) vs APR FC (RWA)

Jiku FC (ZAN) vs Pyramids FC (EGY)

M.Swallows (ESW) vs C. Fer. Da Beira (MOZ)

Ngezi Platimun (ZIM) vs AS Maniema (RDC)

Nyasa Big Bullets (MAL) vs Red Arrows FC (ZAM)

African Stars (NAM) vs Jwaneng Galaxy (BOT)

Disciples FC (MAD) vs Orlando Pirates (RSA)

US Zilimadjou (COM) vs Rangers (NGR)

St. Louis (SEY) vs GDSE (ANG)

AS Douanes (BFA) vs Coton Benin (BEN)

AC Leopards (CGO) vs CR Belouizdad (ALG)

Victoria United (CMR) vs FC Samartex (GHA)

ASGNN (NIG) vs Raja Casablanca (MAR)

AS PSI (CHA) vs US Monastir (TUN)

Watanga FC (LBR)vs MC Alger (ALG)

Red Star (RCA) vs Djoliba Bamako (MLI)

CD Mongomo (EQG) vs Asko De Kara (TGO)

STD. D'Abidjan (CIV) vs Teungeuth FC (SEN)

Hafia / Milo (GUI) vs FC Nouadhibou (MTN)

Bo Rangers FC (SLE) vs San Pedro (CIV)

Libya 2 (LBY) vs Al Hilal (SUD)

Libya 1 (LBY) vs  El Merreikh, Juba (SSD)

Remo Stars (NGR) vs AS FAR (MAR)

Preliminary round:

Home: August 16 - 18, 2024

Away: August 23-25, 2024

Round of 32:

Home: September 13-15, 2024

Away: September 20-22, 2024

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