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Farouk Shikalo is keen to use his past experience to push Homeboyz to victory against Libya's Al Hilal in Saturday's top clash
Ex-Yanga and Bandari goalkeeper Farouk Shikalo believes Kakamega Homeboyz are ready and motivated enough for the task at hand ahead of their Confederation Cup preliminary round first leg fixture against Libya’s Al Hilal Benghazi on Saturday afternoon.
Homeboyz landed in Nairobi on Thursday before proceeding to finalise their preparations for their debut continental fixture, and Shikalo is looking to use his experience to help his side beat the Libyans.
“We thank God for landing safe in Nairobi. We have prepared well and been received instructions from the coach. The next step now is to apply those instructions,” Shikalo told Pulse Sports.
“Everyone is motivated and we believe that by full time, we will produce a positive result tomorrow (on Saturday).”
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14:00 - 18.08.2023
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Shikalo started in Homeboyz’s full-time draw with Gor Mahia in the FKF Charity Shield last Saturday (a game they lost 4-2 on penalties). He has said the team have opted to take the positives from that game, considering it was only their second game of preseason.
“Of course we have to take the positives out of that game and do away with the negatives. The good thing is that we fought back from a goal down to force a draw at full time. I believe we have prepared well.
“We played against KCCA of Uganda and lost 1-0, played against Gor Mahia and drew 1-1. It is a positive thing going forward considering we lost, then drew. Now we have to win.”
Homeboyz play their home fixtures at the Bukhungu Stadium, but will honor the fixture at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, a ground he says Homeboyz have used to beat sides “not just once or twice.”
“This ground has favored us a lot and we have gotten results here, not just once or twice. We are used to it and we will give our best to produce a positive result.
Shikalo has played at the continental stage before for Tanzanian giants Yanga, but not many of his teammates have amassed that experience, but he believes they can still make history.
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“It is the first time for the team, but not the first time for me. I am used to this competition. Robinson Kamura has also played in this competition as well. However, it is not an individual game. That is why it's football. A team game. If we play as a team, we will get a positive result," he added.
“It is very important because we'll be making history. This team has never participated in this kind of competition before. If we win tomorrow (Saturday), it will put our game to another level so winning is a positive thing for us towards contributing to the team’s growth.”
The 27-year-old shotstoper has challenged his teammates to turn up in large numbers to support the team.
“The fan is like the 12th man. We would like our fans to come and support us which will motivate us into producing a positive result,” said Shikalo.
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06:00 - 18.08.2023
FOOTBALL Flashback: When Kakamega Homeboyz' CAF Confederation Cup opponents last visited Nairobi six years ago
A look back at Al Hilal's previous clash with Nairobi's football scene.
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