Wanga warns Gor Mahia of 'pacy and intimidating' Angolans

What you need to know:

  • The Kenyan champions are scheduled to leave the country Tuesday morning for the Angolan capital ahead of their second group game to be played at the Estádio 11 de Novembro
  • Wanga, who won the Angolan Premier League (Girabola) with Petro Atletico in 2008, believes Gor can pick a win on the road if they get their approach right

  • Wanga insists that Hassan Oktay's charges will start as favourites

Gor Mahia should expect a "highly intimidating atmosphere" when they lock horns with Petro Atletico of Angola on Wednesday in a Caf Confederation Cup group "D" clash, according to Kenyan international Allan Wanga.

The Kenyan champions are scheduled to leave the country Tuesday morning for the Angolan capital ahead of their second group game to be played at the Estádio 11 de Novembro.

Wanga, who won the Angolan Premier League (Girabola) with Petro Atletico in 2008, believes Gor can pick a win on the road if they get their approach right.

“Atletico is a very big club in Angola. It has a big following and they have not been in any Caf competition for a long time now so I am sure that the fans will come out in very large numbers to cheer their players.

“Expect a highly intimidating fan atmosphere, awfully humid weather, and an intense, fast-paced game complete with plenty of wing play,” he warned.

Gor Mahia will be without the suspended duo of Jacques Tuyisenge and defender Philemon “Mbish” Otieno who have accumulated two yellow cards in the course of the competition and are therefore ineligible for this match.

However, Wanga insists that Hassan Oktay's charges will start as favourites.

“Based on their long absence from Caf games, I can say they will be the underdogs because Gor has been there for a while now. They like to attack from the flanks and they always play for speed so Gor should be well prepared for that,” he added.

While Gor have qualified for the group stage of this competition for two consecutive seasons now, Atletico have been missing from this stage for the last four years, and have never been made it to the group stage of any Caf competition since 2006.

Like K’Ogalo, Atletico have a rich history having been founded in 1980. The Luanda-based side has won the Angolan League title 15 times since 1982, and have 11 domestic cups under their belt. Their current squad has three foreigners namely Rosa Ribeiro (Brazillian), Dennis Sesugh (Nigerian) and Tiago Lima (Brazillian).

The club is currently third on the Angolan league with 27 points after 13 games, six less than league leaders Primeiro de Agosto.