Police FC head coach Vincent Mashami admits his side was handed a tough opponent in Algeria’s CS Constantine in the preliminary first round of CAF Confederation Cup but he remains optimistic that his men will be ready for the test.

Police FC will visit the Algerian powerhouse in the first leg at Mohammed Hamlaoui Stadium in Constantine between September 13-15 before hosting the second leg potentially at renovated Amahoro Stadium between September 20-22.

Mashami took the Rwandan Peace Cup holders for a weeklong preseason training camp in Rubavu from July 6-13 as he looks to prepare well for the Algerian club from all aspects.

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"We have to work extremely hard with the team we have if we are to progress past the preliminary rounds. We want to play good football, but the most important thing is to win. We've got a tough opponent, but we will be ready for the test,” Mashami told Times Sport.

Police are planning to play build-up matches to further their preparations for the second biggest club football tournament in Africa.

The law enforcers, who are making a return to the competition for the first time since 2016, have also been active on the transfer market as they aim to at least get to the group stage which has only been achieved by Rayon Sports in the history of Rwandan football.

With the team back to the continental stage, Mashami believes his group can do much better to reach the group stages, and they must get CS Constantine out of their way if they are to dream for more.

It will be a two-legged tie, but Mashami believes his team can get the job done in the first leg.

"The first leg away is a very important match and, if we manage to do better, we will be able to handle the second leg which can involve many things, but we want to be ready for the return leg. Players are hungry to improve and to prove that they can do better,” the former Bugesera, APR and Isonga coach said.

"If we have good preparations, we shall have a good chance in the Confederations Cup. Our confidence is pretty high and hopefully we can get a good away result,” he noted.

The winner of the two-legged tie will face Ghanaian outfit Nsoatreman or TP Elect Sport from Chad.

In 2016, Police competed in the tournament and for the first time Police have managed to reach the first round of the CAF Confederation Cup.