Gor Mahia of Kenya star Jacques Tuyisenge (C) celebrates one of his goals against Zamalek of Egypt in a 2018/2019 CAF Confederation Cup group match.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 12 – Despite missing legendary Dennis Oliech, Kenyan champions and Group D leaders Gor Mahia are hopeful of keeping on the winning momentum when they take on Angola’s Petro Atletico in their second CAF Confederation Cup pool match on Wednesday in Luanda.
Gor will be without Oliech after the Harambee Stars great failed to recover on time after sitting out of the Mashemeji Derby 2-0 victory over rivals AFC Leopards on Saturday last weekend.
K’Ogalo, who launched their campaign on a high, beating nine-time CAF title champions Zamalek of Egypt 4-2, are upbeat of overcoming the tough test against an Angolan side that lost 2-1 to NA Hussein Dey in the opening matches.
Gor Mahia striker Dennis Oliech goes past Zamalek’s Naguez Hamdi during their CAF Confederations Cup game against Egypt’s Zamalek at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani on February 3, 2019. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya
But the only Kenyan club to win an African competition — the 1987 Cup Winners Cup — have often flattered only to deceive and Petro Atletico of Angola in Luanda will be a big test.
In other fixture, a Zamalek team boosted by Tunisian pair Hamdi el Nagguez and Ferjani Sassi and Moroccan Khalid Boutaib need all three points when they host NA Hussein Dey of Algeria.
Gor, who are in Angola, have been dealt a major blow after Rwandese forward Jacques Tuyisenge and right-back Philemon Otieno were ruled out.
The two are suspended after accumulating two yellow cards. Tuyisenge scored twice and assisted one as Gor whipped Zamalek 4-2 in the first match day against Zamalek and will be a great miss for the Luanda assignment.
Gor squad to Angola
Zamalek keeper Abdel Wahab picks the ball ahead of Gor Mahia forward Nicholas Kipkurui during their CAF Confederations Cup match at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani on February 3, 2019. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya
Goalkeepers: Boniface Oluoch, Fredrick Peter Odhiambo.
Defenders: Wellington Ochieng, Shafik Batambuze, Joash Onyango, Shakavah Haron, Charles Momanyi, Joachim Oluoch.
Midfielders: Wendo Ernest, Lawrence Juma, Kenneth Muguna, Francis Kahata, George Odhiambo, Boniface Omondi.
Strikers: Nicholas Kipkurui, Erisa Ssekisambu, Francis Mustafa.
-Other fixtures-
The Nkana FC of Zambia team pose before drawing away to San Pedro FC of the Ivory Coast and securing a place in the group phase of the 2018/2019 CAF Confederation Cup.
Nkana FC of Zambia host Al Hilal of Sudan in the CAF Confederation Cup this Wednesday boosted by a record of never having lost at home in 56 African matches.
The 40 victories and 16 draws came in the CAF Champions League, Confederation Cup and two now defunct competitions, the African Cup Winners Cup and the CAF Cup.
Unfortunately, the magnificent home run has not led to any CAF titles for the Kitwe-based outfit, who came closest when losing the 1990 Champions League final on penalties.
Nkana need maximum points against Hilal to get back into contention for a top-two finish in Group C after losing their matchday 1 clash at fellow Zambians Zesco United.
“Our goal remains unchanged — we want to progress beyond the group stage,” stressed Nkana coach and former star Beston Chambeshi. “One loss does not deter us.”
AFP Sport previews the second series of group matches in the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League.
Group A
Trophy-holders Raja Casablanca and fellow Moroccan side Renaissance Berkane can create three-point gaps above their rivals provided they use home advantage to secure victories.
Raja recently hired French coach Patrice Carteron and a side stacked with Moroccan internationals should be too strong for Congo Brazzaville visitors AS Otoho Oyo.
Berkane fired five goals past Senegalese Jaraaf in their previous home match and a repeat of that form with Togolese Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba leading the charge, should sink Agadir.
Group B
Former Dutch star Ruud Krol (L) with his assistants when he coached Tunisia. He is now in charge of CS Sfaxien, one of the top clubs in the country.
Record three-time Confederation Cup winners CS Sfaxien of Tunisia have home advantage over Enugu Rangers of Nigeria in the most attractive matchday 2 fixture.
It is the only match-up featuring clubs who won their group openers and Enugu will parade the most prolific Confederation Cup scorer this season, six-goal Godwin Aguda.
Sfaxien are coached by Ruud Krol, once a star defender who suffered the disappointment of being part of the Netherlands teams that lost the 1974 and 1978 World Cup finals.
Group C
Nkana are not the only club seeking redemption in this section with once formidable Asante Kotoko of Ghana desperate to beat Zesco after losing away to Hilal.
The Ghanaians reached nine finals in various CAF competitions between 1967 and 2004 but, frustratingly, won just two of them.
“We believe we have what it takes to be one of the two qualifiers for the quarter-finals from this group,” insists Kotoko coach and former Ghana captain CK Akonnor.
-Additional reporting from AFP-
