The Kenyan record champions will face a tall order to reverse the 2-0 first-leg defeat at Nyayo National Stadium in the first leg played last Sunday.
Pyramids, who won their maiden CAF Champions League title in 2025 after defeating South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns 3-2 on aggregate in the final, stand a better chance to make it to the second preliminary round of the lucrative competition.
However, Kibwage, who turns out for Kenya’s national team, the Harambee Stars, is not losing hope yet, and has called on his colleagues to learn from past mistakes and produce a better performance in Cairo.
Gor Mahia must stay motivated
Gor Mahia and Pyramids will face off again in the return leg on September 13th at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo. Kibwage insists Gor Mahia know what is at stake against the Egyptian giants.
“We have really tried but few mistakes on the pitch cost us and we have had a good experience for the return leg, every day we get better even when we meet them again on Sunday.
“I urge my fellow players that we stay motivated,” Kibwage told club website.
“It is a learning moment for us. We have to pick ourselves up, remain motivated and focus on the return leg. We know what is at stake and we have to believe that we can get a positive result in Cairo.”
In the first contest, the Kenyan side found themselves trailing with only five minutes played after Walid El Karti found the back of the net to silence the huge K'Ogalo crowd that had turned out.
Gor Mahia tried to come back into the game but Pyramids doubled their lead in the 45th minute when Mahmoud Saber took advantage of a defensive mistake to slam home.
The second half saw Pyramids play cautiously, knowing that they had already grabbed a good cushion to take to the return leg in a fortnight.
Speaking after the defeat, Gor Mahia coach remained confident of overturning the defeat. He said: "Today we lost 2-0. You never know. But it’s too early to talk about it. We will find a strategy, an idea of how we want to play in Cairo. And then we’ll see the way forward.
“Pyramids were experienced. They have a lot of national players in their team. They’ve played in their league.
“They’ve played four matches. They’ve not lost anything. So, they are a good side, and we have to accept it in good faith, go into the next game and believe that if we do the right things at the right moment, there’s always a chance for us.”
Gor Mahia have departed for Cairo for the return leg aboard a direct flight and are expected to land in the Egyptian capital before 10am.
According to a statement from the club website, the travelling contingent comprises 24 players, the technical bench, club officials, a Football Kenya Federation (FKF) representative and the media team.
The winner of the two-legged contest will advance to the second preliminary round, where they will face either South Sudan’s El Merreikh Bentiu or Somalia’s Heegan FC.
Gor Mahia travelling squad;
Kevin Omondi, Paul Ochuoga, Bryton Onyona, Mike Kibwage, Frank Odhiambo, Daniel Sakari, Shariff Musa, Paul Okoth, Ebenezer Adu-Kwaw, Jackson Dwang’, Ebenezer Ocran, Byrne Omondi, Denis Omedi, Lewis Bandi, Ben Stanley, George Amonno, Ebenezer Assifuah, David Okoth, Hansel Ochieng’, Humphrey Katasi, Alpha Onyango, Lesley Otieno, Portipher Odhiambo, Patrick Essombe.
