By CAF… Gor Mahia boss Hassan Oktay says he will look to finish the job in the first leg when his side face Morocco’s RS Berkane in the first leg of their Total CAF Confederations Cup quarter final tie at the Kasarani Stadium on Sunday evening.
Oktay, who will miss the game through suspension, believes despite his absence and that of four other key players; Gor has the ability to do well against the much more experienced Berkane.
“It is a huge miss of course if the coach is not there and four first team players as well. This is tough for us but I have faith in my team, I have faith in the other coaches and I know we will do well. We will surprise Berkane,” the tactician stated.
Gor will miss the services of skipper Harun Shakava, midfielder Ernest Wendo, left back Shafik Batambuze and lead striker Jack Tuyisenge for the tie. This will be a huge blow to the reigning Kenyan champions in their bid for a first ever place in the last four.
But, Oktay retains a brave face that his side has what it takes to topple Berkane at home. Gor are unbeaten in the competition at the Kasarani Stadium fortress.
“We need to finish the job here in the first leg and ensure when we go to Morocco, we have our work easier. We need to win and get a convincing win. We have done it against Zamalek and Hussein Dey which are good North African sides,” said the coach.
On what he expects from Berkane, the tactician has admitted it will not be easy knowing just how the North Africans approach the match.
“They have a very unique manager who changes the system every game. It is difficult to know what exactly their style is. But, I know it will be a tough game.
“They have very mobile strikers and experienced players some of who have played in Turkey. But we will get a strategy to contain them.”
Gor warmed up for the Berkane visit with a tough run of fixtures in the domestic league that has seen them play four games in 10 days, winning all of them to open up an eight-point gap on top of the standings.
Oktay hopes the motivation coming off this run can propel them to do well in continental football.
