Gor eye Confed Cup final after drawing Berkane

Gor Mahia FC Team Manager Jolawi Obondo says Kenyan champions want to go all the way in the CAF Confederation Cup following their historic qualification for the quarter-finals.

Obondo says each team in the quarters makes for a daunting opposition but they will strive to make more history having become the first Kenyan team to reach the last 8 of the continental competition.

Gor will host Moroccan side RS Berkane on April 7 in the first leg of their quarters clash following the draw held on Wednesday night in Cairo, Egypt.

The second leg scheduled for a week later with the aggregate winner facing either Hassania Agadir of Morocco or Egyptian giants Zamalek SC in the semis.

“We have a big number of first eleven team members are suspended but I’m sure we are going to the finals. It is a blow to us but we shall strategize on how to overcome it,” Jolawi told Citizen Digital.

Suspensions for five key players have left Gor handicapped with Ugandan left back Shafique Batambuze, midfielder Ernest Wendo – who were red carded in their 1-0 victory over Petro Atletico – the latest names on their suspensions list.

Other players suspended over back to back yellow cards include captain Harun Shakava, lead striker Jacques Tuyisenge and second choice goalkeeper Fredrick Odhiambo.

But the final fate of the players is due to be communicated to Gor on Thursday even as Jolawi says they are waiting for communication from CAF.

“Some of them may end up missing two matches. There is a difference between getting a straight red card and accumulating back to back yellow cards. CAF will give us clarification today before close of business,” Jolawi explained.

In the meantime, Gor’s coach Hassan Oktay has admitted that he has no idea about their next opponents RS Berkane. Oktay who was speaking on a TV interview on Thursday evening said he will use friends abroad to help him analyse and understand Berkane in-depth.

“I have put my focus on the upcoming match and my friends abroad are helping me understand their game’’.

The Cypriot lamented on the absence of the five suspended players saying missing five of first choice players is a phenomenon.

He is however optimistic KÓgalo will make history this season and is keen on signing a new striker to be unveiled soon according to the coach.

Gor finished second in group D with Egypt’s Zamalek running away with the first position after poor performance at the beginning of the group stage. They won all home matches and lost all away matches to finish at nine points.

The last time Gor made history at the continental level was in 1987 when they beat the odds to lift the then Nelson Mandela Cup after beating Tunisiás Esperance on away goal rule.