Ulinzi gearing up for CAF battle against Hilal Benghazi

Ulinzi Stars Coach Benjamin Nyangweso has emphasized the importance of a strong start at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Confederations Cup as the side prepares to make a return to continental football for the first time since 2011.

Ulinzi play Libya’s Hilal Benghazi in the preliminary round, a clash Nyangweso says is a must win.

However, he admits the team’s energy levels must peak should they stand a chance of stopping the North African side.

“We are in the third week of our final preparations after the season break with our minds set on the knock-out match. This is a tricky stage because if you slip once you’re out.  Once we are past this stage we can then plan for the group stage, which is a different affair all together.

“We are playing against Arabs who have a better history against Kenyans in the continental football. We are however trying to research more about the current team so that we strategize better for them,” Nyangweso told Citizen Digital.

The tactician, who took over from former Head Coach Robert Matano after his contract ran out in December 2016 has kept faith with the squad that featured for the side in the 2016 ahead of the CAF assignment, saying consistency will be a key factor for team to tick.

“We have just done a single addition, Baron Oketch. We believe the players we had last season will perform, having been a unit for some time.

“We also have longtime absentees Stephen Ochola and Evans Amuoka returning to the team. We are keen on their fitness before we get into the competitive matches, so we have to watch them in our friendlies,” the tactician added.

Ochola was in South Sudan for the UN peace keeping mission, but returned when Kenya withdrew her troops from the war torn country in November 2016.

Ulinzi qualified for the annual showpiece after finishing second in the GOTV Shield Cup final, losing to Tusker FC who also lifted the premier league gong.

With Tusker representing Kenya in the CAF Champions League, Ulinzi, who finished third behind Gor in the premier league, got the nod.

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CAF Ulinzi Stars football CAF Confederation Cup Hilal Benghazi

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