Caf CC PREVIEW: Al-Hilal, Kotoko target winning start
Al-Hilal will play host to Asante Kotoko in their 2018/19 Caf Confederation Cup Group C opener at El-Hilal Stadium in Omdurman on Sunday.
Kickoff is at 16:00 GMT.
The Sudanese giants booked their place in the group stages of Africa’s second-tier cup competition with victory over Mukura Victory Sports in the playoff round, having crashed out of Caf Champions League contention following aggregate defeat to Club Africain.
Kotoko were awarded a walkover in the first round of the Confederation Cup qualifying after the Cameroonian FA failed to reach the deadline for submitting their second club representative.
The Porcupine Warriors duly beat Kariobangi Sharks and ironically Cameroon giants Coton Sport to book their place in the group stages. Zambian duo Nkana and ZESCO United complete a competitive Group C.
Two-time Caf Champions League winners, Kotoko, will be without the trio of Abass Mohammed, Naby Laye Keita and Frederick Boateng for their group stage opener, with the latter set for a move to the Egyptian Premier League.
Kotoko skipper Amos Frimpong will also undergo a late fitness test before this weekend’s clash in Sudan.
Al-Hilal have been boosted by the return of Jumma Ginaro and Mohamed Darag who both missed the club’s most recent club outing. The Blue Wave currently occupy top spot in the Sudanese Premier League, six points clear of their closest challengers.
Mahmoud El Banna of Egypt will take charge of the clash in Omdurman
©Backpage TXT
