Gor Mahia to face Algeria’s CR Belouizdad in CAF Champions League

Jacques Tuyisenge (L) of APR FC of Rwanda contest for aerial ball with Charles Momanyi of Gor Mahia FC during their CAF Champions League second leg match in Nairobi on December 05, 2020. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Gor Mahia will face CR Belouizdad of Algeria in the first round of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League this month.

This after the Algerians beat Al-Nasr from Libya 2-0 away in their preliminary return leg match on Sunday to advance 4-0 on aggregate.

The record Kenyan champions qualified for the next phase of the continental competition after securing a 4-3 aggregate win against APR of Rwanda in a two-legged affair played last week.

The Rwandan champions came into the return leg with a 2-1 advantage from their first leg meeting in Kigali, but could not hold onto their narrow lead as Gor Mahia advanced to the next stage after scoring two quick goals in added time to win 3-1.

Second half substitutes Sydney Ochieng and Nicholas Kipkirui scored in the 91st and 93rd minute respectively to ensure Gor advanced to the next stage.

Samuel Onyango 10th minute goal had given Gor Mahia a slender 1-0 lead before APR midfielder Keddy Nsanzimfura levelled the scores seven minutes from time.

On the other hand, CR Belouizdad of Algeria reached the next round after a 4-0 aggregate win against Al Nasr of Libya.

Gor Mahia FC forward Samuel Onyango celebrates scoring against APR FC of Rwanda during their CAF Champions League second leg match in Nairobi on December 05, 2020. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

The Algerian champions won the first leg away in Tripoli 2-0 and completed the double with another 2-0 win at home to book a date with K’Ogalo.

According to CAF, the first leg will be played on December 22 or 23 in Algeria, with the return leg planned for January 5 or 6, 2021 in Nairobi.

The last time Gor Mahia played against an Algerian opponent was last year when they faced USM Alger.

USM Alger edged out K’Ogalo 4-1 in Nairobi and 2-0 at home in Algiers to advance to the next round with a 6-1 aggregate win.

The two teams also met in the Confederation Cup in the 2018 season where USM Alger advanced with a 2-1 win on aggregate.