Revealed: How Gor Mahia clinched their license just in time for CAF Champions League draw

©Gor Mahia

Revealed: How Gor Mahia clinched their license just in time for CAF Champions League draw

Festus Chuma 17:52 - 16.07.2024

Gor Mahia will face El Merriekh FC Bentiu in the 2023/2024 CAF Champions League preliminary round

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially confirmed Gor Mahia's license, a crucial credential issued by the Football Kenya Federation First Instance Body (FKF-FIB).

This development came right before the draw last Thursday positioning the club in the upcoming CAF Champions League 2024/25 edition.

Gor Mahia was among the final clubs to be licensed in a critical step that allowed their participation in the prestigious tournament.

K'Ogalo are set to kick off their journey in an away match against El Merriekh FC Bentiu of South Sudan, scheduled between August 16 and 18.

"Before the granting of a license, the following elements are considered at each club: Sporting Infrastructure, Personnel and Administrative, Legal, and Financial. For the current club licensing cycle, the deadline date for submission of all the licensing decisions and documents was 30 June 2024," CAF's statement elucidated.

Gor Mahia is one of four Kenyan clubs that received the nod from FKF-FIB. The other clubs licensed include Tusker, KCB, and Kenya Police FC.

For the CAF Interclub season 2024/25 club licensing procedure, CAF implemented the use of the CAF Club Licensing Online Platform (CLOP).

This platform has become mandatory for all CAF Member Associations to process applications for clubs intending to participate in the CAF men’s interclub competitions, namely  CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup.

CAF head of professional football Muhammad Sidat has praised the swift adaptation to the new system.

"Following the soft launch of the CLOP during the 2023/24 season, all Member Associations (Licensors) have licensed their clubs through the CLOP for the current club licensing cycle 2024/25. The Member Associations, Leagues, and Clubs have rapidly adapted to the electronical transformation of the club licensing process," he said.

The CAF Club Licensing Online Platform (CLOP) is designed to streamline the licensing process and stadium inspections for both continental and domestic competitions.

Last season, Gor Mahia's license was revoked by CAF due to a breach of Article 60 of the CAF licensing rules.

Their return to the continental stage follows their successful defense of the Football Kenya Federation Premier League title in the 23/24 campaign, a record-extending 21st triumph.

Under the guidance of current coach Leo Neiva, Gor Mahia aims to make a substantial impact in this year's competition.

Their last appearance in continental football was in 2021, where they narrowly missed out on advancing to the group stage of the 21/22 CAF Confederation Cup, falling 2-1 on aggregate to AS Otoho d'Oyo of Congo in the second preliminary round.

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