Despite falling to a 3-1 defeat to Kenya Police FC in their first leg, first round CAF Champions League qualifier, Saturday, Mogadishu City Club coach Daadir Ali says that the match is still alive and that his side will believe they can still make it to the second round.
The first leg first round clash that took place Saturday 20 September at the Nyayo National Stadium, saw Police FC run out comfortable winners in the end, with a commanding display during majority of the match at a decently attended contest on a sunny Nairobi afternoon.
At the moment, the math looks tough for Mogadishu City Club.
They will need to win by at least two goals without reply to have any chance of making progress to the next stage of the competition, by stretching the match to extra time. Otherwise, they require three goals without reply to qualify outright.
Despite the tough odds, head coach Daadir Ali is not giving up just yet.
"We have lost the game but we will not lose hope because we can turn it around. This is football, he said after the first leg at the Nyayo Stadium on Saturday.
"They have a strong advantage but it is not over. We can change this result next week. The players did well today but we were unlucky that in some moments, we lacked concentration and they punished us, especially after the time we scored the equalizer, he added.
With a week in between the two matches, Mogadishu City Club will have some rest and return next week to try overturn the result. Their coach is focused on recovery for now.
"Now we have to rest and recover and we go again next week. There is still 90 minutes to play, he insisted.
The second leg will be played Sunday 28 September 2025 at the Nyayo Stadium.
