Premier league champions Tusker FC will be hoping to build on their crucial away goal as they take on a star-studded Djibouti side Arta Solar in the preliminary round of the CAF Champions League at Nyayo Stadium.
The 12-time Kenya champions played out to a one-all draw in the first leg played in Djibouti and a goalless draw or a win of any kind will see them book a date with Egyptian champions Zamalek mid next month.
In 2017, the Brewers exited Africa’s premier club competition in the preliminaries, losing 3-2 to Port-Louis of Mauritius, they will be aiming to avoid that.
The Arta Solar side meanwhile has a ray of talent and experience and a better facility at the Nyayo stadium will perhaps promise fireworks from both teams.
The likes of Carlos Idriss Kameni, Alexander Song-Bilong, Diafra Sakho are just some of the big names that touched down in Nairobi this week to face Robert Matano’s side.
Tusker on the other hand have beefed up their squad in the ongoing transfer window and the experience in the squad is undoubtedly unrivaled locally. The likes of Patrick Matasi, Clyde Senaji, Brain Bwire, Daniel Sakari and Eugene Asike all have international experience. New blood and goalscorer in their last encounter Ibrahim Joshua is unlikely to feature on Saturday afternoon after picking a knock in Djibouti but Protus Kirenge will be in line to bring in the Tanzanian flair yet again. Henry Meja, their best player last season is also back on fold.
Tusker FC head coach Robert Matano also known as the ‘Lion’ has issued a war cry to his troops and he believes that they will see the job done.
"The entire squad trained today. All players are in good condition save for Ibrahim Joshua, who received a knock in the first leg of the encounter. But he is picking up quite well," Matano said after a training session on Friday morning.
"We could have played much better in Djibouti but we were tired after the long journey. Worst still, we only traveled with 19 players and therefore it was a little bit hectic coming up with a strong lineup."
The match kicks off at 4pm local time