Ulinzi Stars assistant coach Vincent ‘Moriero’ Otieno has reiterated the team’s desire to represent the country at the continental level next season.The club last played at the CAF Club competitions in 2017 when they were bundled out in the qualifying round of the CAF Confederation Cup by Egypt’s Smouha after a heavy 4-0 loss away. Although they won the reverse fixture 3-0 at Machakos Stadium, it was not enough to see the sail through.Although the Soldiers are seventh on the log, the tactician believes that the gap between them and the top-placed team is not as huge and they can close it in the second leg.##NAJAVA_MECA_7068328##The four-time Kenyan champions have the Mozzart Bet Cup route as an alternative to play at the continental level, with the winner in the Cup earning a CAF Confederation Cup slot in the qualifying round. After edging out Kajiado FC in the Round of 32, the will now take on Kenya Police in the Round of 16 as they seek a ticket to the quarters.”Our goal at the end of the season is to play at the continental level. The race is tight and the gap between the top team and those that are chasing is not as big, from number one to seven anything is possible so our focus will be to get rid of the gap in the second leg. The fans have pushed us well in the first leg, and we will do our best to improve in the second leg as our appreciation,” Otieno said.The Benard Mwalala-coached side is currently seventh on the log with 28 points heading into the second leg, nine points off the league leaders Gor Mahia.Mbongi names Egypt’s Smouha as the toughest team he faced during his stay at Ulinzi StarsNevertheless, Otieno feels that they have improved this season as a whole compared to the last campaign, heaping special praise to 19-year-old custodian Sylvaine Ricks Omondi who has been outstanding.”So far we have worked as a team and that has helped us so well. Some players have shown tremendous improvement at an individual level but tactically as a team we have grown so much. Last season we were conceding many goals but we are tight this season. We introduced a 19-year-old as our goalkeeper and he has been doing very well. There has been a wholesome improvement in the team,” he added.Ulinzi kick off their second leg with a home match against Kakamega Homeboyz at the Ulinzi Sports Complex on Wednesday.
