Gor Mahia Head Coach Léo Neiva has vowed to bring the CAF Champions League experience to FKF Premier League following their elimination by Al Ahly.
Speaking after his team’s 3-0 loss in the second leg at Cairo International Stadium on Saturday, the Brazilian emphasized the importance of the experience gained by his players against a top-level opponent.
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“We must accept the defeat; they (Al Ahly) played at their best. The level of Al Ahly is on another level of football, and that’s why this game was so important for us. It gave our players the chance to experience football at this level, which is why I made several substitutions in the second half to give more players exposure.
“We played well and gave our best. The first goal came from a set piece, and the second was when they broke our defensive line. The first half ended 2-0, and at halftime, I switched the formation, which worked better for us,” he said.
The former Vipers C coach however admitted that there is still work to be done in their attacking play.
“We missed some chances, but overall, I am satisfied with my players; they tried their best. The goals were the result of errors, but we must accept that Al Ahly are on a different level.
“We’ll probably stay in Egypt for recovery training and return home on Tuesday. After a day off, we’ll resume training on Wednesday. We plan to bring this Champions League experience into the FKF Premier League to improve our performance,” he concluded.
With their sights now set on the FKF Premier League, the defending champions will start their league campaign against Mathare United next weekend.
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