Neiva: Al Ahly tie was a valuable learning curve

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Gor Mahia head coach Leo Neiva believes their humbling exit to Al Ahly in the CAF Champions League has given his players valuable experience on the continent.

K’Ogalo were bullish after dispatching El Merriekh Bentiu 5-2 on aggregate in the preliminary first round of Africa’s elite club competition to set up a meeting with the defending champions.

However, Neiva’s side were no match for the Red Eagles, who cruised to a 3-0 victory in Nairobi on September 15 before repeating the feat in Cairo six days later to qualify for the group stages with a 6-0 aggregate scoreline.

Neiva is keen to move on from the disappointment and acknowledged the Kenyan giants have a long way to go if they want to challenge Africa’s top clubs.

“We must accept the defeat and move on. We played against a strong Al Ahly side; their football is on another level,” he told SportsBoom.

“But I believe the two games we played against them have provided my players with a lot of experience and exposed them to the reality of football in Africa.”