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Four things we learnt from Gor Mahia and Kenya Police's Continental Stage exits at the hands of Al Ahly and Zamalek.
The recent exits of Gor Mahia and Kenya Police from the continental stag, at the hands of African football powerhouses Al Ahly and Zamalek, painted a stark picture of where Kenyan football currently stands in comparison to the giants of the game.
While both teams showed flashes of potential, their losses revealed the formidable challenges they face to compete at the highest level.
From player quality to infrastructure, the gap between Kenya's top clubs and Africa's elite remains significant. However, there are key lessons to take away, as both teams strive to close this divide and elevate Kenyan football.
Here are four critical takeaways from their continental campaigns:
1.Gulf in player quality is enormous
With all due respect to both Gor Mahia and Kenya Police, their exits at the hands of Al Ahly and Zamalek respectively showed that the gulf in player quality is enormous, especially in K’Ogalo’s case.
Al Ahly are record African champions for a reason, and even though the Green Army tried to show fight and desire during their CAF Champions League Second Preliminary clash, their lack of experience and skill to compete at such a level was exposed massively.
With Kenya Police, the country’s representatives in the CAF Confederation Cup, they showed they have the players to compete at that kind of level, and Zamalek coach Jose Gomes even pointed out the fact that they had the capability to compete ‘at higher levels’.
They still got dumped out for a reason, as Zamalek basically took advantage of the few chances they created, while Police were made to pay for their profligacy, particularly in the first leg at Nyayo National Stadium.
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19:00 - 24.09.2024
Gor Mahia coach Leonardo Neiva breaks silence on dropping Rooney Onyango against Al Ahly
Gor Mahia coach Leonardo Neiva reveals Rooney Onyango was dropped against Al Ahly due to disciplinary and commitment issues.
2. Clear tactical differences
Aside from the difference in player quality, there was also a huge difference in tactical set up. It looked as though Gor Mahia and Kenya Police players were there to just express themselves, while Zamalek and Al Ahly looked disciplined with their tactical set ups on and off the ball.
While discussing with a colleague during the first leg between Police and Zamalek in the Confederation Cup, we concluded that the Law Enforcers were applying pressure more often, rather than press. Same situation with Gor Mahia against Al Ahly.
The Egyptian giants capitalised on the mistakes Gor Mahia were making to find the back of the net after forcing turnovers and then exploiting the gaps left on the counter attack.
Basically, they pressed as a team, while Gor Mahia players’ pressing was disjointed considering they were applying pressure on the players with the ball individually.
For Police, they had loads of the ball and created chances, but Zamalek looked comfortable even without possession, as if they would never get hurt.
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15:55 - 21.09.2024
Kenya Police coach Antony Kimani holds head high after brave CAF Confederation Cup exit
Kenya Police coach Anthony Kimani reflects on his team’s spirited performance after their CAF Confederation Cup exit to Zamalek.
3. Big contrasts in infrastructure
The disparity in facilities between the Egyptian giants and Kenyan clubs is massive. While Al Ahly boasts a vast array of training and playing facilities, from football pitches to swimming pools and basketball courts, Kenyan clubs struggle to secure basic training grounds.
Gor Mahia, Kenya Police and other club’s lack of proper infrastructure hampers their ability to develop players and compete at the highest levels.
As Kenya’s national team coach, Engin Firat, has pointed out, the country only has one decent facility—Kasarani Annex—which leaves local clubs woefully unprepared in comparison to their African counterparts.
Until this infrastructural gap is addressed, the chasm in player quality and development will remain wide.
4. Fan support enormous
Kenya Police and Zamalek barely saw massive fan turnout. First, because Police barely has a strong enough fanbase by virtue of being a corporate entity. Second, because Zamalek fans were banned from attending the return leg at home having been sanctioned by CAF.
However, for the Al Ahly and Gor Mahia clash both home and away, the fan support was enormous. Fans turned up in large numbers to watch the Green Army face the Red Devils at Nyayo, and in the return leg, the Egyptian club’s fans also turned up.
Following their 6-0 aggregate victory, they also officially celebrated their record 44th league title moments after beating the Kenyan champions at the Cairo International Stadium.
As Gor Mahia and Kenya Police reflect on these defeats, the lessons are clear: progress will require investment, better infrastructure, and tactical development. Only then can they hope to close the gap with Africa’s footballing giants.
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