NAIROBI, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- Gor Mahia captain Harun Shakava has rallied his troops to hunt for critical away points to boost their chances of advancing past the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup.
Speaking in Nairobi on Monday, Shakava said Gor Mahia has enough firepower upfront despite missing the talisman Jacques Tuyisenge from Rwanda and Kenyan international Philemon Otieno, who are suspended for their Wednesday's Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) Group D clash away in Luanda against Petro de Angola.
"There are no easy matches at this level, and we will be playing away from home. But the resilience and commitment shown by the players in training has made me believe we are going for the win," said Shakava.
With Petro de Angola having lost in their first round match against Nasr Hussein Day in Algiers, pressure will be on the home side to get off the blocks and this, according to Gor Mahia head coach Hassan Oktay, will provide the chinks for his strikers on the counter attacks.
"They will crack if we push hard. My only worry is the fitness level of one of the best midfielders in Kenya, Lawrence Juma, who is unwell. But he will travel with the team all the same," said Oktay.
The Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions have endured success in their home league and the coach wants them to replicate the same at the continental level.
"Preparations on our side have been good, and we know what we are going for. The win against Zamalek gave us much-needed confidence, but the campaign has just begun, it is all about consistency," he added.
The coach said he will rely on former Harambee Stars skipper Dennis Oliech, who has been in superb form, Ugandan Erisa Ssekisambu and youngster Nicholas Kipkirui to cover up for the suspended Tuyisenge.
The team departs for Luanda on Tuesday morning.
