By Joshua Otieno | September 6, 2026
Gor Mahia begin their 2026–27 CAF Champions League campaign today, Sunday, September 6, when they host Egyptian giants Pyramids FC in a high-stakes first-leg encounter at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.
The match, scheduled for 3:00pm East African Time, marks the first competitive meeting between the two sides, with the return leg set for September 13 at Cairo’s 30 June Stadium.
Gor Mahia head into the tie facing a formidable opponent, with Pyramids arriving in Nairobi on the back of an impressive run of results. The Egyptian side have won their opening three league matches and also claimed victory in their most recent Egyptian Cup final.
Gor Mahia, meanwhile, have endured a difficult run in their recent competitive fixtures, including defeats to Tusker FC in the FKF Super Cup final and Rayon Sports in the CECAFA Kagame Cup final. They also drew with Migori Youth before losing on penalties in the Green Legacy Cup final.
Despite the contrasting form, Gor Mahia head coach Charles Akonnor believes his side can overcome the odds, drawing inspiration from the biblical story of David and Goliath.
“Everybody has a doubt… if we look at us and Pyramids, there’s a doubt that we can make it. It’s like David and Goliath. We are David. Goliath was believed to be the strong side for everything, but at the end, David won because he has the hand of God,” Akonnor said.
The Ghanaian tactician has called on his players to show a strong big-game mentality, urging them to avoid costly defensive mistakes while remaining aggressive in attack as they seek a positive result before travelling to Egypt.
Akonnor has also appealed to Gor Mahia supporters to turn up in large numbers and provide the team with the backing needed to overcome the Egyptian champions.
“We need them in order to make it… they should come early and fill the stadium before the boys even appear on the field. Without them, it is always difficult for us,” he said.
Pyramids coach Rhulani Mokwena, however, has played down the favourites tag and insists his team must adapt to the challenge presented by Gor Mahia and the Nairobi environment.
“We need to adapt to different opponents and environments while developing a team that can hurt opponents in different ways,” Mokwena said.
Mokwena has also demonstrated his knowledge of Gor Mahia, highlighting the Kenyan champions’ physical strength and the depth added to their squad through 11 new signings. He has identified players including Alpha Onyango, Frank Odhiambo and Shariff Musa as threats his team must contain.
The encounter also presents an intriguing tactical battle between two coaches with contrasting continental experiences. Mokwena has extensive CAF Champions League experience from his time with Mamelodi Sundowns and MC Alger, while Akonnor brings significant experience from his playing career in Germany, his time with Ghana’s national team and his coaching spell at Asante Kotoko.
For Gor Mahia, the immediate objective will be to secure an advantage in Nairobi and take confidence into the return leg in Cairo. Pyramids, meanwhile, will be looking to use their recent strong form and continental experience to put themselves in control of the tie.
With qualification decided over two legs, every goal could prove decisive as Gor Mahia begin what promises to be a demanding Champions League campaign.
