COASTAL Union FC have embarked on a significant journey as they prepare to face AS Bravo of Angola in the preliminary stage of the CAF Confederation Cup.

A squad of 22 players, along with the entire technical bench, departed on Wednesday, with high hopes of securing a favorable result in the first leg of the competition.

The match, scheduled for tomorrow, will take place at Tundavala Stadium in Lubango, Angola, and Coastal Union's head coach, David Ouma (pictured), has expressed confidence in his team's readiness to compete on foreign soil.

"We are prepared, and I’m pleased with the team’s commitment. The players have shown significant improvement, especially in our last two matches," Ouma stated.

Despite a recent loss in one of their preparatory matches, Ouma remains optimistic. He acknowledged that mistakes were made but emphasized that his players have made strides in following instructions and improving their performances. He believes these improvements will be crucial against AS Bravo.

"In our next game, the players executed the game plan better. Although we didn’t secure a win, we didn’t perform poorly either," Ouma continued. "I expect us to be even stronger against AS Bravo on Saturday. It’s advantageous that we’re starting away. Our approach will be to respect our opponents and aim for a positive result that will put us in a strong position for the return leg at home."

One key player making the trip is the team's first-choice goalkeeper, Ley Matampi, who was absent during the pre-season preparations. 

Ouma addressed concerns regarding Matampi's absence, explaining that it was due to a delay in joining the team. However, the Kenyan coach confirmed that Matampi has now resumed training and is fully integrated with the squad.

"Matampi is with us and has begun training. He’s one of the players traveling with the team," Ouma reassured.

Matampi's inclusion is expected to bolster the team's defense as they aim to keep a clean sheet in Angola. 

Coastal Union's strategy revolves around securing a good result away from home, allowing them to finish the job in the return leg at home, which is scheduled between August 23 and 25. The winners of this tie will advance to the next stage of the tournament, where they will face FC Lupopo from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In addition to their CAF Confederation Cup campaign, Coastal Union are also gearing up for the Premier League season. Their domestic season will kick off on August 16, marking the beginning of a grueling schedule.

Coastal Union’s first five fixtures in the league have been confirmed. On August 29, they will face KMC FC at the KMC Complex, followed by an away game against JKT Tanzania FC on September 25. 

Coastal Union will then take on Mashujaa FC on October 21, before facing Namungo FC and Azam FC in subsequent rounds.

With both continental and domestic challenges ahead, Coastal Union’s squad will need to maintain their focus and resilience. The team’s dual objective - progressing in the CAF Confederation Cup and making a strong start in the Premier League - requires a well-coordinated effort from both players and the technical team.

Coach Ouma’s leadership will be crucial as Coastal Union navigate this demanding period. His emphasis on learning from past mistakes and building on recent improvements reflects a strategic approach aimed at ensuring the team’s success on all fronts.