Owino has now said he will fight to make sure his new club carries the day against, Gor Mahia, a club he says he supports.
“Caf matches are the biggest in Africa and as a player, it has always been my target to play in the group stage every season,” Owino told
Nation Sport. “It is always good to play against players and a team you are familiar with.
“Even though I am a Gor Mahia fan and former player, loyalty won’t count in February as I will fight for Napsa Stars to ensure we qualify for the group stages. We have very experienced players and I am confident we shall win in both legs and qualify for the group stage.”
“When you start away it is an advantage of course on our side but also it gives you too much pressure when playing away from home in the first game so we have to go there and do our job and maybe finish it back home,” Fathi told online Napsa Stars TV.
“I think it is a fair draw and I think it will be very interesting to play Gor Mahia because they have a big history in the competition but also we are trying to write our own history in this competition and it will be interesting to come up against them.”
Before facing the Algerian champions, Gor Mahia had to navigate past APR of Rwanda in the preliminary round.
On the other hand, Napsa Stars reached the second preliminary phase after a 1-1 draw against UD Songo of Mozambique. The Pensioners advanced courtesy of the away goals rule after Emanuel Mayuka equalised for them in the 74th minute in Beira. UD Songo had taken the lead in the first half but a spirited fight by the Zambian outfit ensured their journey came to an end.
Gor Mahia, who are yet to appoint a permanent and qualified coach for the Caf matches, will have to find a way past the Lusaka based side.