Tusker FC begin their latest continental adventure on Sunday, 6 September, when they take on Sudanese side Al-Ahli Madani in the first leg of the first preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup at Kigali Pele Stadium.The match, scheduled for a 5 pm kick-off, marks the Brewers’ return to continental football after four years, with the Kenyan side hoping to lay a strong foundation in their quest to reach the group stage.##NAJAVA_MECA_9936871##Tusker booked their place in the competition after ending a decade-long wait for the FKF Mozzart Bet Cup, beating Kenya Police 2-1 in June to secure the domestic cup and a ticket to Africa.The Brewers head into the assignment with early-season confidence after beating Gor Mahia 3-1 in the FKF Super Cup, a result that handed Julien Mette’s side their first piece of silverware of the 2026/27 campaign.Mette has set reaching the group stage as the club’s primary objective, insisting the continental campaign is part of a wider project aimed at building a team capable of competing consistently in Africa.FKF Premier League club officials offer solution to league kick-off impasse“The target is the group stage for two main reasons. First, the finances, because this will help us with this project. Second, for sporting reasons. We will get six very good games against some of the top teams in Africa,” Mette said.The French tactician has also stressed the importance of blending experienced players with promising youngsters as Tusker seek to build a new cycle.“We have a new cycle for the club. We have brought in experienced players who can provide leadership, alongside young players who have potential and are part of the project. We have to win, but we also have to develop these young players,” he said.Dennis Oliech on how Gor Mahia can upset Pyramids in CAF Champions League clashCaptain Aboud Omar will be one of the experienced figures expected to lead the Brewers through the demanding two-legged assignment.Omar believes Tusker have prepared sufficiently for the challenge, having featured in the CECAFA Kagame Cup before defeating Gor Mahia in the Super Cup.“We are well prepared. Playing in CECAFA and winning the Super Cup showed us what to expect at this level. Keeping a clean sheet gives us a big advantage. We know it will be a tough game, but we are going for a win to make the return leg easier for our fans at home,” Omar said.The Ruaraka-based outfit also have continental experience to draw from. Tusker’s last appearance in the CAF Confederation Cup came in the 2021/22 season, when they reached the play-off round after dropping down from the Champions League.Former Nairobi United skipper sets ambitious continental target with TuskerThey were paired with Tunisian giants CS Sfaxien, holding them to a goalless draw in Nairobi before losing 1-0 away, exiting 1-0 on aggregate.However, Tusker have a much richer continental history, having reached the African Cup Winners’ Cup final in 1994 when they competed as Kenya Breweries FC.Standing in their way is an Al-Ahli Madani side with its own continental pedigree.Founded in 1928 and based in Wad Madani, Al-Ahli earned their place in this season’s Confederation Cup after winning the Sudan Cup.The Sudanese club is no stranger to the competition. They featured in the 2025/26 Confederation Cup, where they were drawn against Tunisian giants Étoile du Sahel in the first preliminary round.Gor Mahia captain sends message of hope to fans ahead of Pyramids clashAl-Ahli made an encouraging start, defeating Étoile 1-0 in the first leg played in Dar es Salaam, but their hopes of advancing were ended in the return leg after a 3-0 defeat in Sousse. They consequently exited 3-1 on aggregate.Their previous continental record underlines both their experience and vulnerability, with Al-Ahli having featured in the Confederation Cup before but failing to progress beyond the preliminary stages.Sunday’s encounter will nevertheless be the first competitive meeting between Tusker and Al-Ahli Madani, making it a fresh contest between two clubs with contrasting but respectable continental histories.Victory over Al-Ahli Madani would leave Tusker 90 minutes away from securing their place in the second preliminary round, with the return leg in Nairobi providing the final opportunity to complete the job in front of their home supporters.Should they progress, Tusker will face either AS Kigali of Rwanda or Al-Hilal Benghazi of Libya in the second preliminary round.Blow as Harambee Stars defender is ruled out for rest of 2026-2027 season in England