Kenyan clubs return to continental scenes

Gor Mahia players celebrate after scoring a goal in a past league match. PHOTO / FILE

Nairobi, Kenya: Kenyan clubs return to continental football this weekend keen to make an impact where they have failed miserably in the past.

Champions Gor Mahia take on CNAPs of Madagascar on Saturday at Nyayo Stadium before Sofapaka tackles FC Platinum of Zimbabwe in Sunday’s Confederations Cup fixtures at the same venue.

Last season, both Kenyan clubs taking part in continental fixtures failed to go past the first round and fears are that the same could be witnessed this time around.

Gor Mahia go into Saturday’s fixture on a positive note after edging out Sofapaka on Wednesday in a DSTV Super Cup match at Nyayo Stadium.

Looking at the history of their opponents, Gor Mahia are most likely to cruise through to the first round.

The team is funded by the social welfare organization of Madagascar and has won the local league title twice in a row in 2013 and 2014.

Like Gor Mahia they did not make it past preliminary round of the Champions League after going down 1-0 to Liga Muculmana of Mozambique. The team’s dominance in Madagascar can be gleaned from the fact that they have seven players in the senior national team of the country.

FC Platinum, Sofapaka’s opponents on the other hand are making their first ever appearance in the Confederations Cup. The team enjoys lucrative sponsorship and is believed to be one of the richest clubs in Zimbabwe something that indicates they must have a well- built squad capable of spoiling the party for the Kenyan side.