New Stars de Douala anticipates tough test from Gor

New Stars de Douala of Cameroon are anticipating a tough battle from Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia when the two sides cross swords on Sunday at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in the Caf- Confederations Cup first leg play-offs.

In an interview with Cameroonian media, Stars deputy coach Patrice Fosto said that his young squad expects a tough challenge from Gor but is confident of a good show in Nairobi.

The Cameroonians are expected to depart Yaoundé on Friday afternoon, jetting in Nairobi in the evening.

“I must say that Gor Mahia is a historical club with huge success in Kenya compared to us, we are a young team but that shouldn’t create fear in the team, we believe in ourselves, we have the strength, let’s wait for the game and see.”

“We are representing Cameroon, the whole country is counting on us, yes we may be young but we have the fighting spirit, and despite Gor having big names like Denis Oliech, I believe we shall overcome them,” added Fosto.

New Stars warmed up to the Sunday match with a 1-0 victory over Real Foot Academy 1-0 but will have to travel without midfield maestro Aristide Medjo who was sent during their CAF tie with Al Ahly Tripoli in Limbe.

At the same time, Gor’s deputy secretary general Ronald Ngala is optimistic that the team will reach the group stage and pocket a whooping Ksh. 27 million that is up for grabs for the winner of this clash.

Ngala also made it clear that new signing Dennis “The menace” Oliech will play no role in the game as he was not registered for the tourney, but will be feature in the group stages should the team sail through.

“We are well prepared for the Sunday game, the team spirit is high, our aim was to reach the group stages of the CAF Champions League but unfortunately we were knocked out by Lobi Stars. The major mistake to avoid going to the game is conceding at home which made us bow out of first assignment,” he regretted.

“We will have to score more goals and avoid any from our opponents. We don’t know much about New Stars but we will approach the game confidently,” added Ngala.

Gor Mahia will be seeking to make it to the group stages of the competition for the second season in a row after losing to Nigerian side Lobi Stars in the Caf Champions League.