NAIROBI, Kenya, February 16- Gor Mahia FC received a timely boost ahead of their trip to Maputo for their first leg CAF Confederation Cup preliminary stage clash when Prime Minister, Raila Odinga presented the side with Sh500,000 ($5,988).

The Premier pledged a further Sh1m ($11,976) to the side should they beat Ferroviaro de Maputo at their back yard on Saturday.

According to Gor secretary, George Bwana, Raila’s donation will go towards offsetting ticket costs for the side that won the domestic cup last season to qualify for the second tier continental club competition.

In his address the Prime Minister called on the team to emulate the performance of freshly minted African champions Zambia who upset the odds to clinch their first continental title.

“It is very unfortunate to see our teams desperately looking for sponsorship to buy air tickets whenever they have an international engagement” Raila added.

He assured the football fraternity in the country of the government’s commitment to promote the sport as he called on the management of the game to put their house in order.

Raila challenged local teams to improve their performance to woo fans back to the stadia saying the sport could be used to create a national identity.

Gor who leave for Mozambique on Friday also received a further $5,000 (Sh415,189) from Dr. Evans Kidero, an aspirant for the post of Nairobi County Governor.

“We are confident of a good result from Maputo. The Team is in good shape and psyched for the tour,” Gor Secretary Bwana reaffirmed.