AS Otoho from Oyo continues its preparation at the Alphonse Massamba Débat stadium for its double-header against Mozambique’s FC Ferroviario de Maputo. The absence of a national elite league works against the Congolese team’s endurance on the field. Despite this handicap, the team is playing some friendly matches to try and compensate for this lack of domestic competition.
One week before its trip to Maputo to face Football Club Ferroviario, AS Otoho from Oyo continues its preparation at the Alphonse Massamba Débat stadium in Brazzaville. Deprived of a national championship and its international players currently called up for the national team, the sole Congolese representative in African competition is making do with the resources it has available.
It’s true that at one point we would have liked to have the whole group available, but being selected is already a source of motivation. If we at least have a few key players in the national team, I think that would give me more peace of mind and even more motivation to go and win these matches. Because not every player gets to be called up for the national team. A competitive team is certainly one that plays in the league, that plays a high-level, high-intensity match every week. But unfortunately, we don’t have that luxury. But okay, we’ll make do with what we have.
For the players, the absence of a national elite league is a real handicap in preparing for continental fixtures. However, this does not shake their determination and their ambition to reach the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup.
We really miss the league. But what can you do? It’s the current situation in the country, so we try to manage. The management is taking all possible measures by organizing many friendly matches to keep us fit for the upcoming fixtures. These friendlies help us a lot, so we try to make the best of it, we’re not complaining. The ambition, as always, is to reach the group stage. That’s where there’s a bit more visibility. Right now, we are still in the elimination phase, so the next two matches will allow us to reach the group stage. So we will try to give everything to get there.
AS Otoho from Oyo will thus face its destiny on October 19, 2025, for the first leg of the second preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup in Maputo against Football Club Ferroviario. The return match will be played on October 25 in Brazzaville, and AS Otoho will be able to count on the return of its international players.