Kenya Premier League champions Tusker are in Djibouti for their first leg of the preliminary round of the CAF Champions League against Arta Solar 7 Club.
The first leg of the first round of the competition will be played on Saturday at the El Hadj Hassan Gouled Stadium in Djibouti City, with the return leg taking place a week later in Nairobi.
If Tusker proceed to the second round, they will face off with Egypt’s Zamalek, a two-leg fixture that will be played in mid-October.
Coach Robert Matano is confident that they have had good preparations and are ready for the clash.
“We have been training in Mombasa in the past one week and we have been able to build synergy between the new players we have brought in and those who were there before,” said Matano.
“I believe we have prepared well both physically and mentally for the upcoming matches and I have confidence in my squad. We won the Premier League and that is now behind us, we look forward to the upcoming challenge.”
Tusker has been active in the current transfer window recruiting Charles Momanyi, keeper Patrick Matasi, Kalos Protus Kirenge, Ibrahim Joshua and Teddy Osok as coach Matano aims to bolster the side ahead of their continental duties and heading into the new season.
“This team has done us proud this year, winning the league and qualifying for the CAF Champions League. This is the dream of any football player in Kenya and I therefore congratulate them for their success,” said Kenya Breweries Limited Managing Director John Musunga.
“As a company, we have and will continue to support the team throughout their continental campaign as we always have. In addition to the Ksh. 2 million bonus payment we extended to them following their league triumph, we shall also ensure the team is well prepared and catered for so they can fully focus on the challenge ahead.”
The brewers were awarded the CAF Champions League ticket by virtue of being top of the league by 30th June following a directive by CAF on the deadline for member states to submit the names of their respective representatives for the continental club competitions.
