Leopards ready for Fosa assault in Kakamega

AFC Leopards head coach Robert Matano is confident his charges will edge out FOSA Junior of Madagascar in their two-leg Caf Confederation Cup preliminary tie.

Leopards host the minnows from Madagascar at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega on Sunday in the preliminary round, first leg.

The GOtv Shield champions, who arrived in Kakamega on Wednesday evening, held a light training at Bukhungu Stadium under assistant coach Dennis Kitambi.

Leopards trained again at Bukhungu on Thursday and Matano said they would bank on home ground advantage to floor their opponents.

Matano, who has won the Kenyan Premier League title with Sofapaka and Tusker, said: “If we win in the first leg, it will boost our confidence and morale ahead of the return leg.” Matano revealed they will be without Salim Abdalla, Eric Bekoe, Marvin Omondi and Clyde Senaj for the first leg.

“The players have been in residential training and I can assure you that they are prepared for the do-or-die match,” added the fiery tactician.

“I have picked the players for the match on merit. That is basing on their physical and mental preparedness. The players know that very well.”

Vincent Oburu is back after trials in the Czech Republic and could lead the attack.

Oburu won the 2017 Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup with Harambee Stars in November and scored the second goal in the GOtv Shield final as Leopards floored Kariobangi Sharks 2-0 at Kasarani last October.

Meanwhile, AFC Leopards Organizing Secretary Timothy Lilumbi has said that the club has cleared all the pending arrears for the players and members of the technical bench.

“We have cleared all arrears owed to the players. This is to enable them concentrate on the big match on Sunday,” he said.

Lilumbi thanked Kakamega County Government Governor Wycliffe Oparanya for supporting the club meet its financial obligations including catering for their expenses.

He said fans will pay Sh500 for the VIP access while those on the terraces will part with Sh200.