Gor Mahia's George Odhiambo (left) tussles for the ball with CNaps' Rabeson Micheal during their Confederation of Africa Football Champions League round one match on February 13, 2016 at Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO

What you need to know:

  • After losing their respective continental matches, Gor Mahia and Bandari must go back to the drawing board if they are to make it to round one.
  • Gor must win 2-0 in the reverse fixture in Madagascar, while the dockers need a 3-0 victory in Nairobi in a fortnight to advance.

After losing their respective continental matches, Gor Mahia and Bandari must go back to the drawing board if they are to make it to round one.

League champions Gor fell 1-2 to their Madagascar counterparts Caisse Nationale de Prévoyance Sociale Sport (CNaPS) in the first leg of the Caf Champions League preliminaries at Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday.

Bandari also lost 0-2 to Congolese side St Eloi Lupopo at the Stade Frédéric Kibassa Maliba in Lubumbashi during their Confederations Cup clash on Sunday.

Gor must win 2-0 in the reverse fixture in Madagascar, while the dockers need a 3-0 victory in Nairobi in a fortnight to advance.

This adds to the familiar narrative where Kenyan sides fail to impress at continental level.

Previously, K’Ogalo were knocked out in the first round  0-2 by AC Leopards  of Congo on aggregate while Sofapaka bowed at the first hurdle after losing 2-4 to Platinum of Zimbabwe on aggregate.

In 2014, K’Ogalo were defeated 2-8 by Tunisia’s powerhouse Esperance in round one.

DRESSING ROOM BUST-UP

Gor’s Saturday loss was caused by a number of factors. Coach Frank Nuttall is not in good books with club boss Ambrose Rachier.

The Scot had a dressing room bust-up with goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch and his decision to field an unfit Khalid Aucho raised eyebrows.

Gor’s team manager Jolawi Obondo blamed the defeat on inadequate preparations and the late registration of key players such as Jacques Tuyisenge and playmaker Francis Kahata.

“I must agree that we did not have the best pre-season and the late arrival of key players such as Khalid Aucho affected us,” said Obondo.

Despite Bandari’s impressive signings, they were no match for the Congolese. Head coach Twahir Muhiddin blamed stage fright for the loss.

“We were slow in the first half. Lapse in concentration cost us,” said Muhiddin by phone from Lubumbashi.