Akonnor: Gor Mahia possess enough tools to upset Pyramids FC

The highly anticipated first-leg encounter is scheduled for Sunday, September 6 at Nyayo National Stadium from 3pm EAT, with the return leg set for September 13 in Cairo, Egypt.

The winner of the tie will face the victor of El Merriekh Bentiu of South Sudan or Somalia's Heegan SC in the second preliminary round.

Akonnor acknowledges the magnitude of the challenge facing K’Ogalo but believes he possesses the tools to hurt the Egyptian champions.

“Pyramids are giants, but in football everything is possible,” Akonnor said, while insisting that Gor Mahia will give the contest their best shot.

The Ghanaian tactician was however wary of the threat Pyramids have posed.

“In football, everything is possible and indeed Pyramids are giants of African football but what will determine is how ready we will be to play well especially in the first leg here in Kenya and despite being a tough test for us I believe we have a chance,” he said.

Akonnor says there is room for improvement from his side’s backline after a disappointing 3-1 FKF Super Cup defeat to Tusker FC last weekend.

“As a team going to the CAF preliminary round, we still need to work on some areas such as our defensive unit, the match will not be easy for anyone and so we are working to improve and make the team stable including the defence unit.”

As the two sides go head-to-head, the Egyptian giants have a notable footprint on the continental stage, having won the tournament in 2025 before getting knocked out at the quarter-final stage of last season's campaign.