{"id":6197,"date":"2015-02-14T01:08:04","date_gmt":"2015-02-14T01:08:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gormahia.net\/latest\/?p=6197"},"modified":"2015-02-14T01:08:04","modified_gmt":"2015-02-14T01:08:04","slug":"gor-mahia-start-champions-league-campaign","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gormahia.net\/latest\/news\/gor-mahia-start-champions-league-campaign\/","title":{"rendered":"Gor Mahia start Champions league campaign"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"gm-cnaps-fans\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Its all systems go at Nyayo stadium on Saturday February 14 as Gor Mahia take on Madagascan champions CNaPs in the preliminary round of the 2015 Africa champions league.<\/p>\n

Gor Mahia’s performance in continental events since 2009 has been poor. However their performance has been slowly improving. From the Rwanda APR disaster of 2009 and the disastrous loss to Ferroviario of Maputo, Gor Mahia has improved over the last two campaigns. The improvement has seen them go beyond the preliminary round, most notably in 2014 when a penalty saving clinic by skipper Jerim Onyango saw Gor Mahia overcome biased officiating against US Bitam of Gabon.<\/p>\n

Coach Frank Nuttall is determined to improve on this record.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe new signings have demonstrated beyond doubt that they are equal to the task ahead. We have struggled at the continental stage for a while now and it is important that we change this. We will not underrate our opponents but we believe we are capable of winning and we shall work towards that,\u201d he said. to the Nation.<\/p>\n

The Rwandese trio of Sibomana, Nigiziyimana and Meddie Kagere is unavailable because they were signed after the CAF deadline. In their absence, Gor Mahia will continue to depend on George Odhiambo “Blackberry” and new signing Michael Olunga for goals. Ghanaian Taofiq Zachary and Tim Otieno are additional options.<\/p>\n

In defence, Musa Mohamed who skippered the team on Wednesday will be counted on to utilize his experience to marshall a defence that will include Dirkir Glay with either Emuge or Shakava.<\/p>\n

CNaPs in high spirits<\/h3>\n

CNaPs for their part also competed in the Champions league in 2014 where they were eliminated in the preliminary round, losing to Liga Muculmana of Mozambique 0-1 on aggregate. They have been quoted in the Mdagascan media as saying they do not consider Gor Mahia a threat.<\/p>\n

Prior to leaving Madagascar, they were received by the<\/span> Minister of<\/span> Youth and Sports<\/span>, Dr. Jean<\/span> Anicet<\/span> Andriamosarisoa<\/span> Ambohijatovo<\/span> for the traditional<\/span> “<\/span>Tso-<\/span>drano”. An opportunity for<\/span> a<\/span> number<\/span> of<\/span> Malagasy<\/span> Sports<\/span> reaffirm the commitment<\/span> of his department<\/span> for the promotion and<\/span> development of sport<\/span> in the country.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

“The<\/span> CNaPS<\/span> Sports is<\/span> a great team and<\/span> we know<\/span> your ability<\/span>. Malagasy<\/span> soccer players<\/span> expect a lot from<\/span> you<\/span> especially given<\/span> the<\/span> reality of today’s<\/span> football.<\/span> We<\/span> commend<\/span> the efforts of<\/span> the leaders<\/span> of this discipline<\/span> for the shares<\/span> despite the difficulties<\/span>, “said the Minister.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

As a contribution<\/span>, the ministry <\/span>will take over<\/span> the price of the<\/span> ticket<\/span> referees<\/span> for the second leg<\/span> at home<\/span>. For its part,<\/span> the<\/span> delegation<\/span> led by<\/span> team official\u00a0 Hiaja<\/span> Rakotoarison<\/span> promised to<\/span> do their best<\/span> in<\/span> opposing<\/span> land.<\/span> “We will<\/span> try to score<\/span> the most goals<\/span> in<\/span> opposing<\/span> land<\/span>,” said<\/span> the coach<\/span> of the team,<\/span> Harimanitra<\/span> Rabearisoa<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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