Gor Mahia players hoping to shock Brazilian giants Corinthians in Nigeria pre-season tourney

Gor Mahia players can't wait to face Brazilian giants Corinthians FC in their opening match of the Coal City International Cup slated for August 2 in Enugu, Nigeria.

Both Gor Mahia and Corinthians will feature in the first edition of the tournament as guests, same as Coton FC of Benin who are in the same pool with the two clubs.

Completing the group is home side Remo Stars, who are scheduled to host Gor Mahia in the last game of the pool on August 6.

The tournament offers the record Kenyan champions a perfect opportunity to redeem themselves following a poor show in the recently concluded CECAFA Kagame Cup where the club failed to win a single game. 

Besides that, the platform will help the club polish the weak areas as well as test preparedness for the 24/25 CAF Champions League qualifiers.

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Facing Corinthians dream come true

The opportunity to play Corinthians in the opening group stage match of the tournament is undoubtedly a great source of joy for several Gor Mahia Stars.

Corinthians is a well-known club in Brazil and South America at large but Gor Mahia players and Kenyans by extension know the club for churning out talents who have gone to take European leagues by storm. 

Rivaldo, Paulinho, Adriano, and Alexandre Pato are some of the renowned football stars who passed through Corinthians in the very infant stages of their careers.

Gor Mahia assistant captain Geoffrey ‘Simiti’ Ochieng is eager to play against the outfit which resonates well with local football enthusiasts for its ability to scout young and talented players. 

"I can't wait to play against them. We only read about their longstanding rivalry with Palmeiras in the press. We also read positive stories of the good players who pass through their youth systems. Playing against them will be a great honour," he told SportsBoom.

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The Brazilian side is certainly the pre-match favourite, but Ochieng believes that Gor Mahia will not be cowed by their profile and achievements. 

Ochieng, who has several national team call-ups under his belt, is confident that a success story, about Gor Mahia, will be written after the final whistle. 

"We didn't do well in the Kagame Cup as we had only resumed for pre-season but we have gathered momentum and had time to prepare. I believe we will do well," said the former Western Stima man.

Coach Leonardo Neiva's factor 

While all Gor Mahia players have never seen Corinthians play or understand their philosophy, coach Leonardo Neiva is believed to know the team inside out or has a rough idea of their style of play. 

K'Ogalo appointed the Brazilian coach last month to replace Northern Irishman Johnathan McKinstry who left following the expiry of his contract. 

Centre back Sylvester Owino says the Samba touch Neiva has injected at Gor Mahia will go a long way in getting results against Corinthians. 

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"We had not grasped his philosophy before we travelled to the Kagame Cup but we now understand what he requires from us. I am sure he will equip us well before the game because he knows them inside out," the defender said.

Owino, a two-time league winner with Gor Mahia is also confident that the club will punch above weight in the tournament.

"We have to get it right in Nigeria to boost our morale ahead of the CAF Champions League. Our preparations have been great and I feel we will outdo ourselves in the tournament," said the former Kakamega Homeboyz player. 

Better results will boost confidence ahead of Champions League

The two players say good results on Nigerian soil will motivate them to perform well in the CAF Champions League.

Gor Mahia will play South Sudanese champions El Merrikh Bentiu in the First Preliminary round.

The winner on aggregate will tackle record champions Al Ahly of Egypt in the second round.

Gor Mahia are making a return to the competition after three years in the cold.

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