Coastal Union gears up for CAF Confederation Cup preparations
TANGA: AFTER Coastal Union secured the ticket to represent the country in the CAF Confederation Cup next season, the club’s management is already planning a competitive and formidable team.
The Tanga-based club Competition Manager and Secretary of the team’s registration committee, Jonathan Tito, outlined the club’s priorities, emphasizing strategies and the goal of achieving even greater success in the coming season.
To strengthen the squad, Tito revealed that changes would be made, including the termination of contracts of players who underperformed and the departure of those deemed incompatible with the team’s pace.
However, he noted that the standout performers will be retained for the upcoming campaign.
Acknowledging the business aspect of football, Tito stated that the club will allow players to leave if reasonable offers are made, enabling the club to reinvest and secure suitable replacements.
Addressing speculation surrounding the technical bench, Tito confirmed that the Head Coach, David Ouma would retain his position, with one year remaining on his contract with the club.
Coastal Union winded up their 2023/24 Premier League campaign in the fourth slot to secure a spot in the CAF Confederation Cup alongside Simba SC who finished third, marking their return to the continental competition after 36 years, since their last participation in 1988 when they clinched the league title.
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With preparations already underway for their continental campaign, Tito confirmed rumuor regarding potential transfers of their star players Congolese goalkeeper Ley Matampi and a defender Lameck Lawi who are reported to attract the interests of domestic football giants.
Having amassed 43 points, 11 wins, 10 draws, and nine losses in the league, Tanga-based club have demonstrated their competitiveness, netted 22 goals while conceded 19.
The 2024/2025 CAF Interclub season will kick off with a preliminary round scheduled between 16–18 August 2024.
The group stages are scheduled between October and December 2024 while the knockout phase and final of both competitions will be between March and May 2025.
CAF has confirmed the 12 highest-ranked Member Associations according to the CAF rankings who will be eligible to enter two Clubs in both the Total Energies CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup.
The 12 highest-ranked national associations are as follows: Algeria, Angola, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, RD Congo, South Africa, Sudan, Tunisia and Tanzania.
Meanwhile, on Monday CAF kicked off the registration period for Member Associations to register their qualified Clubs on the CAF Competitions Management System (CMS).
