Kariobangi Sharks head coach William Muluya has predicted a tough match against Asante Kotoko but is optimistic his side will get a positive result on Saturday.
Sharks will be away to Kotoko at Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi on Saturday 21st for the return leg after being held to a goalless draw at home.
Making their debut in continental football, Sharks thrashed Djibouti's Arta Solar 9-1 on aggregate to advance to the preliminary round. However, Kotoko held the Muluya's men to a 0-0 draw in a game played at Kasarani.
Muluya is aware of opponents' threat but is optimistic his side will bite off Kotoko and progress to the next round.
“Of course we believe we have that ability. It is not easy against Kotoko especially down there in Ghana, but we have the belief and I believe we have a strong squad that can do that. Though none in this team is experienced at this level, we have been together for long to fight as a team,†said Muluya.
Muluya on missed chances
“I will look at it positively, saying that if we score away from home, it is an advantage for us. We have the ability to score and we have worked on our finishing. Any kind of a scoring draw will pull us through and that is a motivation for us,†the tactician added.
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Their most experienced player in the rather youthful team is midfielder Patillah Omotto who has played severally for the national team and apart from Sharks has featured for AFC Leopards and Bandari in the Kenyan Premier League.
Sharks welcome back defensive midfielder Sven Yidah who has returned to first-team football after recovering from a knee injury that kept him out for close to three months.