CAF Confederation Cup: Papy Kimoto says Maniema Union ready for battle against Pamplemousses

Maniema Union will launch their CAF Confederation Cup campaign on Saturday when they face Pamplemousses SC of Mauritius at the Martyrs Stadium in Kinshasa.

The Congolese side enters the first preliminary round eager to make a strong impression in front of their home fans.

Head coach Papy Kimoto believes his players feel prepared for the challenge and determined to start their continental journey with a convincing result.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Kimoto expressed confidence in the work his team has done during preparations.

He admitted that competitive matches bring different pressure compared to friendlies but said Maniema Union stands ready to show its true level.

“Our mission remains clear. We must do everything possible to qualify from this first match,” Kimoto said. “Our ambition is to go as far as possible in this competition.

The team feels strong after weeks of preparation. Now the real competition begins tomorrow, and that is where we will see our true readiness.

We worked hard in training and friendly matches, so we wait to see the result tomorrow.”

Kimoto urged his players to focus only on performance rather than thinking about favourites.

He emphasised that success in continental football depends on consistency and determination rather than reputation.

“We are ready to go into battle, and we prepared with that mindset,” he said. “We want to play a great match tomorrow.

In football, there are no favourites. Every team that reaches this level prepares to compete.

We are not favourites, and we must understand that this is a two-legged tie.

Whether we win or lose tomorrow, a second match remains. Anything can happen in football.”

The Congolese coach insisted that Maniema Union must show discipline and ambition throughout the campaign.

He highlighted the importance of staying grounded while still believing in the team’s potential.

“I never consider us favourites,” Kimoto added. “We only aim to play well and chase our goals.

They also have ambitions, just like us. We must respect them but also believe in ourselves.”

Saturday’s encounter marks the beginning of Maniema Union’s third appearance in CAF interclub competitions.

The club hopes to build on previous experiences and push further in this year’s tournament.

The fixture also represents a crucial opportunity to gain an early advantage before the return leg in Mauritius.

A positive result at home would strengthen Maniema Union’s position and ease the pressure for the second match.

Kick-off is set for 15:00 local time in Kinshasa. Supporters expect a spirited performance from the “Kambelembele boys” as they seek to take a decisive step toward the next round.

The stakes could not be higher for Kimoto and his players, who see this campaign as a chance to showcase their growth on the continental stage.

Maniema Union aims to turn preparation into performance, determination into dominance, and belief into results when they step onto the pitch.