CAFCC: Kakamega Homeboyz ready for battle in first leg of preliminary round against Al Hilal

Mozzart Bet Cup champions Kakamega Homeboyz will be hoping shake off stage fright and have a CAF Confederation Cup debut to remember wen they host Libya’s Al Hilal Benghazi in the first leg of the preliminary round.

The match, will be played on Saturday at the Nyayo National Stadium after the facility was passed fit to host it.

Homeboyz, have never participated in matches of this caliber before and will, look to announce their arrival emphatically and secure massive advantage that they can, hold on to in the return leg set for next weekend.

While scores of Homeboyz players have never featured in CAF matches, a handful of their colleagues including goalkeeper Faruk Shikalo and coach Patrick Odhiambo have previously tasted action in the lucrative tournament and hence, their experience will come in handy.

Abana Abeingo reached at the grand stage after winning the Mozzart bet Cup on July 1 where they beat Tusker 1-0 in the final staged at Kasarani Stadium.

Homeboyz had their final preparation for the game on Friday so is the visiting team that had a feel of the Nyayo surface in the afternoon.

Ahead of the game, midfielder Hillary Juma is confident that the team will make home advantage count and get favorable results.

“All eyes will be on us as we are the only team representing Kenya in the tournament. We can’t afford to false start as anything short of a win will puncture our progress to the next level. Most of us are new at this stage but we are certainly up to the task,” said the former Wazito man.

Steady Kamura banking on personal experience to aid Homeboyz past Al Hilal

Odhiambo has previously admitted to have made his homework well and was pretty sure of the type of football and approach Hilal would embrace.

His Hilal counterpart Mohamed Ouda is anticipating a physical encounter approach by the Kenyan side.

"We know we are coming to play a good team that is very physical and we expect a tough match against them. We watched them play in the cup against Gor Mahia in the cup last week but I am confident that my team will play well and we will have a good result. We know how they play because have we watched a couple of their matches," Ouda said before the team had a feel of the Nyayo surface.

Al Hilal anticipating physical encounter against Kakamega Homeboyz

Ugandan FIFA referee William Oloya will be in charge with compatriots Isa Masembe and Emmanuel Okudra acting as the first and second assistants.

The game will kick off at 3pm. Match day tickets will retail at Ksh.200 and 500 for the regular and VIP sections respectively.

The tickets will be sold at few metres from the Riadha House gate.

The winner of the clash on aggregate will meet Rwanda's Rayon Sport in the next round.