NAIROBI, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan premier league champion Gor Mahia was due to depart on Friday to Morocco to play against Renaissance Sportive de Berkane in the CAF Confederations Cup on Sunday.
The Kenyan champions face a tough match in Berkane where they need to reverse a 2-0 loss at home to progress through to the semifinals of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) second tier competition.
Gor Mahia secretary general Ben Omondi told Xinhua on Friday in Nairobi that there was a little confusion over the booking but it had since been cleared after the government paid for the trip.
"There was a little misunderstanding but things have been sorted out and hopefully we are leaving this evening aboard Qatar Airways," Omondi said on Friday.
Players arrived at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport early on Friday expecting to board Royal Air Maroc but were turned down as the airline said it had not booked them.
"After the airline denied us boarding, we went back to our training base to continue with preparations. Even today Friday, we are training as we wait for the final communication," said team manager Jolawi Obondo.
The North African side has not lost any of their 13 CAF matches played at home in a run that stretches way back to 2015.
Gor Mahia will be the next causality to be added on the list should they fail to beat their host by over two goals.
Striker Jacques Tuyisenge is still suspended alongside midfielder Ernest Wendo and Ugandan defender Shafique Batambuze. Only Harun Shakava, amongst those who missed the first leg, is available for the return leg.
Head coach Hassan Oktay is optimistic that his side will overcome the challenges and register a surprise win in Morocco.
"We lost the first leg match not on the pitch, but in the boardroom. There was sabotage and hopefully with all now clear, we will see the true spirit of Gor Mahia in Morocco," said the coach.
