Former Mogadishu City Club player Irshad Salah is adamant that his former club has what it takes to compete well against Kenya Police FC when the two sides meet in the CAF Champions League first round qualifier this Saturday at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.
The champions of Somalia and Kenya meet in the first leg clash of the first round of qualifiers Saturday, knowing that an aggregate win will see either side move closer to the group stages of the competition.
The winner of the two-legged tie will face off with either South Sudan’s Jamus FC and Al Hilal of Sudan in the next round and according to Salah, the clash is even and he expects his former side to give Police a tough time.
“I expect this to be a tough match but a close one also, he told radio Generation Sport. This Mogadishu CC side is a good side. They have belief and togetherness and I’m confident we will see them show it come match day, he stated.
According to Salah, the recent CECAFA Kagame Cup that took place in Tanzania, which saw Mogadishu CC face off with seasoned sides such as Al Hilal, who they managed a 1-1 draw in Dar es Salaam, is proof that their side has what it takes to beat Police in the two-legged affair.
“At CECAFA the team was unlucky to exit in the group stage. The players did well and showed that their level is good. I wish them good luck and expect a good showing," he added.
During the Kagame Cup, Mogadishu City Club were unlucky to exit the competition at the group stage, having ended up with five points in group C, same as Al Hilal, who qualified for the semis with a superior goal average. They ended up unbeaten, with one win and two draws from their three matches.
These results, they hope, will see them in good shape against Police FC come Saturday. Salah has been assisting the Mogadishu CC side in their training efforts in Nairobi and will be in the stands to witness them take on Police FC.
Kick off will be at 4 PM Kenyan time.
