COASTAL Union coach David Ouma is using the lessons learned from the CECAFA Dar Port Kagame Cup tournament to propel his team forward in the upcoming Community Shield mini-tournament, slated for August 8 to 11.

Coastal Union, nicknamed 'Wagosi wa Kaya' or 'Mangushi’, qualified for the 2024/25 CAF Confederation Cup after securing fourth place in the recently concluded Mainland Premier League campaign. 

The fourth-place finish earned them a spot in the Community Shield tournament, where they will face Azam FC at Amaan Complex in Zanzibar on August 8.

While Coastal Union did not advance to the semifinals in the CECAFA Dar Port Kagame Cup tournament, they gained valuable experience with a win, a draw, and a close loss. 

The Tanga-based team started strong with a 1-0 victory over Dekedaha of Somalia. They then faced a tough challenge against Zanzibar’s JKU, resulting in a 2-0 defeat. Coastal Union displayed resilience in their final group match, securing a 1-1 draw against Hay Al Wadi of Sudan.

Looking ahead, Ouma remains focused and has set his sights on reaching the Community Shield final as part of their preparation to face F.C. Bravos do Maquis of Angola in the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary stage. 

This marks Coastal Union's return to international competition since their participation in the 1989 African Cup Winners’ Cup, where they were eliminated in the first round. The competition was later merged with the CAF Cup to form the current CAF Confederation Cup in 2004.

Ouma has emphasized that the Community Shield tournament serves as a crucial stepping stone for the team to showcase their growth and determination.

"The CECAFA Dar Port Kagame Cup tournament exposed areas for improvement. We're using this as a learning opportunity to strategize and elevate our game. We have a strong foundation from last season's success, but we need to push further to stay competitive. 

“The Community Shield is our first chance to showcase our progress. Securing a spot in the final is our primary objective. If necessary, we'll adjust our strategy to secure a third-place finish and avoid repeating last season's fourth-place finish. The upcoming mini-tournament serves as another stepping stone in our preparation to face Bravos do Maquis in the CAF Confederation Cup.

"So far, I am incredibly impressed with how seamlessly the new and returning players are integrating during training. Their commitment and tactical understanding inspire confidence. The Azam FC match will be a fantastic platform to demonstrate the strides we've made during pre-season," said Ouma.

Under Ouma, Coastal Union has shown significant improvement, reaching the Federation Cup semi-final match last season against Azam FC, which they lost 3-0, achieving a fourth-place finish in the Mainland Premier League, and now gearing up for the Community Shield and the CAF Confederation Cup.

In the CAF Confederation Cup, Coastal Union will begin their campaign with an away match at Estadio De 11 Novembro in Luanda on August 16 before returning home to Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on August 23. 

These achievements have generated excitement among the club’s supporters and heightened expectations for their performance in the international arena next season.