CAF Conf Cup: Mukura aim high ahead of Free State clash

November 27 Free State vs Mukura MUKURAVictory Sports head coach, Francis Christian Haringingo, has urged his players to aim high as the club gears up for their first CAF Confederation Cup appearance since 2000. The Huye-based side have been drawn against South Africa’s Free State Stars in the preliminary round, which will be played between November 27 and December 4. Free State Stars will host Mukura for the first-leg at Goble Park in Bethlehem on November 27 before the return-leg at Huye Stadium a week later. Speaking to Times Sport on Sunday, Haringingo tipped his players to rise to the occasion and perform well in the competition despite most of them being debutants in continental football. “We won’t let the fact that we are new [in the competition] define us, we are ready to shine in African football – and that will start with going past Free State Stars. My players are in fine form,” Haringingo said. While the two sides will be meeting for the very first time in any competition, Free State are coached by former Rayon Sports tactician Luc Eymael while Rwanda international Olivier Kwizera is their first choice goalkeeper, two individuals who are well-versed with Rwandan football. Mukura qualified for Africa’s second biggest club competition in August after winning this year’s Peace Cup – their first major title in 28 years. Haringingo has insisted that, “We have to reach as far as possible in the tournament, but at the same time perform well in domestic competitions. Given how we have started the season, I have no doubt we will do much better than last season,” The black and yellow outfit have not featured in continental competitions since early 2000 when they were eliminated in CAF Cup Winners’ Cup (now-defunct) in the preliminary round. They had competed in CAF Confederation Cup the previous year. The winner between Mukura and Free State Stars – over the two-legged tie – will face Sudanese side Al Hilal Obeid in the first round, which is scheduled for mid-December. Al Hilal Obeid were given a bye into the next round alongside Al Amasry and Zamalek SC (Egypt), Ahly Tripoli (Libya), Club Sportif Sfaxien and Etoile Sportive du Sahel (Tunisia), Uganda’s KCCA, and Morocco’s Raja Casablanca. editorial@newtimes.co.rw