Gor Mahia have been left with a mountain to climb in their quest for a deep run in the 2026/27 Caf Champions League campaign after they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Pyramids FC in the first leg of the first preliminary round match in Nairobi on Sunday.
In the match played at Nyayo National Stadium, Pyramids carried the day through first half goals from Walid El Karti and Mahmoud Saber.
Pyramids lifted the prestigious Champions League trophy during the 2024/25 season. The second leg of the first preliminary round will be held in Cairo on September 13, with the aggregate winner progressing to the second preliminary round of the competition.
Gor Mahia's Patrick Essombe shields the ball from Mohanad Lashin of Pyramid FC during the first leg of their Caf Champions League preliminary round match at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on September 6, 2026.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
Speaking after the match, Gor’s Ghanaian coach Charles Akonnor attributed their loss to a little lapse in concentration, and failing to control the midfield, particularly in the first half.
However, he drew positives from his side’s impressive display in the latter stages of the contest.
“In the first half, it was a little bit of lack of concentration. We were supposed to hold the midfield but we lost it a bit and gave them an advantage to control the game,” Akonnor noted.
“In the second half we got better, we were a bit unlucky because we created some few scoring chances and the players who came in were encouraging in the way they played,” added the former captain of the Ghana national football team.
“Gor Mahia are a good side and we beat a very good side today, so I am very proud of my team and players,” said Makwena.
The loss to Pyramids extends Gor’s poor run against Egyptian sides. K’Ogalo have never eliminated any Egyptian opponents in CAF competitions in 58 years.
Gor Mahia's Musa Shariff goes down from a tackle by Abdul Magdi of Pyramid FC during the first leg of their Caf Champions League preliminary round match at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on September 6, 2026.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
Making a return to the Champions League after their last appearance during the 2024/25 season, Gor came agonisingly close to taking an early lead against Pyramids.
Ghanaian striker Ebenezer Assifuah was presented with a glorious scoring opportunity in the second minute but his close range effort was cleared off the line.
Three minutes later, K’Ogalo paid for that missed opportunity after Karti pounced to fire the Egyptian side into the lead. Gor’s goalkeeper Byrne Omondi had punched an earlier effort.
As the match progressed, Pyramids exploited the right flank to launch their attacks. Goalkeeper Omondi produced a brilliant save in the 28th minute to deny Youssef Morsy who had weaved past Gor defenders before unleashing a shot from the edge of the box.
Gor made a tactical change in the 38th minute with Lesley Owino being replaced by forward Ben Stanley Omondi.
Saber unleashed a thunderous strike from the edge of the box that Omondi failed to deal with, leaving K’Ogalo trailing by two goals at the break.
In the second half, Akonnor made several changes in the second half, including bringing on David Okoth, Paul Okoth and Daniel Sakari for Paul Ochuoga, Patrick Essombe and Bryton Onyona respectively.
The hosts looked brighter in the last 20 minutes of the match and came close to finding the back of the net late when Paul Okoth's header hit woodwork.
