Tusker ready for Zamalek in Caf Champions League

Tusker FC Team against Bidco United during their FKF Premier League match at Utalii Sports Ground in Nairobi on Sunday August 22,2021[Boniface okendo,Standard]

Kenyan football champions Tusker are ready to reach more milestones when they host Egyptian champions Zamalek during the first round of the 2021 Caf Champions League on Saturday.

Tusker coach Robert Matano is relishing the stern test posed by Egyptian giants, saying they will be ready for the match after intensifying their preparations ahead of the first leg match set to be played at the Nyayo National Stadium from 4pm East African Time.  

“Caf Champions League is a big stage for every club in Africa and we are looking forward to giving our best. All my players are ready and I expected them to give their maximum so that we build a winning momentum ahead of the return leg in Cairo,” Matano said in an earlier interview.

Tusker have been boosted by the return of their injured players who missed the opening match of the 2021-2022 FKF Premier League season played last month where the champions lost 1-0 to AFC Leopards.

Tanzanian import Ibrahim Joshua who was instrumental in Tuskers progressing to the first round in the preliminary stage and custodian Emery Mvuyekure, defender Eugene Asike, Charles Momanyi, Teddy Osok, Ugandan Deogratious Ojok, Hillary Wandera, and Clyde Senaji are all fit to play.

Tusker edged out Arta Solar 7 of Djibouti 4-1 on aggregate to reach the first round while Zamalek got a bye in the preliminary round.

The winner of the two-leg match will qualify for the group stage which comes with Sh55 million cash prize.