Nairobi News

Kakamega Homeboyz will face Libyan side Al Hilal Benghazi in the preliminary stage of the Caf Confederation Cup.

Homeboyz was drawn against the Libyan team in the draw held at Caf headquarters in Cairo on Tuesday

Should Homeboyz make it to the first round from the two-legged tie, they will face Rayon Sports of Rwanda.

Homeboyz booked their ticket to the continental competition after edging out Tusker 1-0 in the finals of MozzartBet Cup at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on July 1.

The first leg of the preliminary round will be played between September 15 to 17 2023 (home), while the second leg will be played between September 29 and October 1, 2023 for the away teams.

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The Kakamega-based side will be the only team representing Kenya in Caf competitions next season after league champions Gor Mahia were locked out of the Caf Champions League over a pay dispute with three former players.

Gor Mahia lodged an appeal with Football Kenya Federation which revoked its licence costing them a spot in the Caf competition.

The club also wrote to Caf and Fifa after clearing the monies owed to the former players Adama Keita, Jules Ulimwengu and Sando Sando Yangay but were yet to get a response by the time the draw was being held.

Al Hilal Benghazi are no strangers in Kenya, having previously played against Ulinzi Stars and Gor Mahia.

K’Ogalo drew with Libyan giants 1-1 in a friendly match back in 2019. Ulinzi however knocked them out of Caf Confederation Cup preliminary round in 2017 beating them 5-4 on post-match penalties after an aggregate of 1-1 scoreline in both legs.

Al Hilal Benghazi hosts its matches at 10,000 capacity Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benina, Benghazi East of the North African state.

Commenting on the draw, Kakamega Homeboyz Cleophas Shimanyula said his team is ready to make its debut in the Caf competition.

“Now we know our opponent and we shall enhance our preparations. Homeboyz will make the country proud by winning its matches at every stage of the competition,” Shimanyula said.

“Even if we were handed a more experienced team in the competition at this stage, we would still put in a lot of effort. Our task now is to begin the preparations as the management embarks on other logistics,” he added.

With Kenyan Kasarani Stadium and Nyayo National Stadium barred from hosting international matches, Shimanyula said in the next few weeks they will know where to host their game after consulting with the federation.

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