The Kenyan giants will face the Zambian rivals on Sunday in the first leg of the pre-group stage encounter. Retired Kenyan striker Ronald Okoth has explained how moving into the Caf Confederation Cup from the Champions League should act as motivation for Gor Mahia.
After an underwhelming outing against CR Belouizdad in the Champions League, the Green Army dropped to the continent’s second-tier club competition. “That [relegation] is not going to demotivate them in fact, to me, it is a source of motivation because they know it is another chance to feature at continental level,” Okoth, who won the 2013 league with Gor Mahia, told Goal. By kiplagat Sang, Goal
The East African heavyweights will be marketing their country during the continental assignments. Photo Simba SC
Tanzania Mainland League reigning champions Simba SC will be donning jerseys branded with the 'Visit Tanzania' slogan during their Caf Champions League group stage matches.
Wekundu wa Msimbazi are in Group A alongside defending champions Al Ahly of Egypt, AS Vita of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Al-Merrikh of Sudan.
The 21-time league champions believe this is a good opportunity to market the East African country.
"Simba SC management and different stakeholders are aware of the goodness of our country," the club's CEO Barbara Gonzalez said during his meeting with the reporters.
"It is for this reason that we have decided to be ambassadors of our country through football.
"There was a space on our jersey and we decided to put a logo as well as our new slogan 'Visit Tanzania. We will be using these jerseys in the Caf Champions League group stage."
The CEO has further revealed the agenda will be pushed through other platforms as well as the club's merchandise throughout the continental competition.
"We will play AS Vita in DR Congo, Al-Merrikh in Sudan as well as Al Ahly in Egypt, and we will also have three home games against the aforementioned teams," Gonzalez added.
"We want to use the opportunity to market our country.
"Apart from jerseys, our masks and bags will also be branded with the slogan. And we will push the agenda through our social platforms as well. Our products and merchandise will also have the Visit Rwanda slogan."
Wekundu wa Msimbazi will open their campaign with an away trip against the Black Dolphins on Friday, February 12, before hosting the Red Devils on Tuesday, February 23. They will then make a trip to Sudan to play the Leader on March 5.
The second round for the Tanzanian heavyweights will start with a home game against the Sudanese outfit on March 16 then host AS Vita on April 2 before finishing their campaign with an away game against the reigning champions on April 9.
Simba are aiming at reaching the semi-finals of the annual competition for the first time in their history. They are also eyeing the domestic league title as well as the FA Cup. - Seth Willis, Goal
The Hippos will use the tournament to sharpen the squad ahead of the competition
U20 Uganda coach Morley Byekwaso has named his provisional 33-man squad for the Tanzania mini-tournament.
The Hippos will use the competition to prepare for the Africa U20 Cup of Nations scheduled to be played in Mauritania from February 14.
New faces in the team include Sam Senyonjo, Derrick Kakooza, Davis Sekajja, Andrew Kawooya, Delton Oyo, Simon Baligeya, and Ivan Eyamu. By Seth Willis, Goal
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