Gor Mahia, Kakamega Homeboyz brace for first test in continental campaigns
By Dennis Mabuka, July 14, 2023Kenya representatives Gor Mahia and Kakamega Homeboyz will begin their continental campaigns on August 18 starting from preliminary fixtures.
A schedule released by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) yesterday indicates that Gor Mahia, who will feature in the Champions League after winning the FKF Premier League title, will play their first match between August 18 and 20, while Homeboyz, who will be the flag bearers in the Confederation Cup will play between August 24 and 27.
Homeboyz will be playing in continental football for the first time having defeated Tusker 1-0 in the Mozzart Bet FKF Cup final to earn the ticket. Should Gor Mahia and Homeboyz progress from the preliminary round, they will qualify for the second preliminary round whose matches have been scheduled to take place in September.
Champions League action will be played between September 15 to 17 while Confederation Cup fixtures will be staged between September 29 to October 1.
Homeboyz chairman Cleophas Shimanyula welcomed the dates for his team to get their continental journey underway, insisting they are ready to take Africa by storm.
“So many people think Kakamega (Homeboyz) is going to make numbers in the CAF tournament, but they are extremely wrong and daydreaming because we will prove them wrong,” Shimanyula told People Sport when asked about his team’s preparedness for the competition.”
“Some of these people thought Homeboyz will not beat Tusker to win the FKF Cup and we did exactly that, they must know we mean business and it will be the same case in Caf.”
Shimanyula confirmed that his management had already put the club’s plans in place and they (Kakamega Homeboyz) will soon embark on a rigorous residential training camp in preparation for the preliminary round matches.
“We are also working round the clock to get new signings, the technical bench has requested we at least beef up the squad in all departments (get at least one player in all positions), so we can be able to compete with the best out there, remember we will also be in domestic action so we need a full house squad to be able to achieve our targets,” he added.
Meanwhile, the group stage matches will take place between November 2023 and March 2024, with matchday one action expected to be on Friday 24, and Sunday 26 November for both club competitions.