Preview: Pressure on Gor Mahia in CAF Confederation Cup against NA Hussein Dey

Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-22 05:31:01|Editor: Mu Xuequan
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NAIROBI, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- Kenya Premier league champions Gor Mahia seek to restore their winning formula as they host NA Hussein Dey of Algeria in Nairobi on Sunday for their Group D tie of the CAF Confederation Cup.

The Algerian side arrived in Nairobi on Thursday buoyant of inflicting the second defeat to their host in the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) campaign, which will see the top two sides advance to the quarterfinals.

Group D also includes Egypt's Zamalek and Angola's Petro Atletico, who will clash in Alexandria, Egypt on Sunday.

Speaking in Nairobi on Thursday, NA Hussein Dey coach Mezaine Ighil showed his optimism that his side will grip on the top of the group.

"It is getting tight and we hope the good run will continue for us here in Nairobi," said Inghil.

Ahead of the clash on Sunday, Zamalek sit at the bottom of Group D with one point, two points behind Kenya's Gor Mahia and Angola's Petro Atletico while NA Hussein Dey are at the top with four points.

The Algerian club make a return to continental action following an eye-catching run in the qualifiers that included aggregate wins over Diables Noirs, Green Eagles and most recently Al-Ahly Benghazi.

Gor Mahia's coach Hassan Oktay must be brave to start with an offensive team and will rely on the service of Jacques Tuyisenge, Boniface Omondi, Samuel Onyango and Dennis Oliech to deliver the goals.

"I hope we will be sharp in front of the goal. We want to surprise them and kill off the game early. But they also have big players and we must be cautious in the defense," said Oktay.

In Alexandria, Zamalek will be desperate for a win to revive their qualification hopes when they entertain Angolan side Petro Atletico also on Sunday. The poor start has left the five-time African champions in a critical situation, and any result short of the maximum points against Petro Atletico will make dim their chances of a place at the last eight.

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