Sofapaka FC captain Mathias Kigonya is optimistic and already looking past Kariobangi Sharks as they target a return to continental football after three years in the cold.

The Batoto ba Mungu secured their FKF -Shield final ticket on Sunday after edging AFC Leopards 1-0 at the Kasarani Stadium last Sunday. All that is left now is their next win and they’ll be on their way back to the CAF Confederation Cup.

Kigonya emphasised that their victory over the holders Leopards was testament to the quality in their side, suggesting Sharks could pose less of an opposition in the final where the winner will also walk away with Ksh2 million, prize money.

“Sharks is a good team but I don’t think it’s a better team than AFC Leopards so if we managed to overcome them I don’t think the final will be a very tough game.

“I think we deserve to play continental football and believing that is a huge motivation for us. If you look at the teams playing at that stage I can say we are the same level in terms of quality,’ Kigonya said.

The goalkeeper has been a consistent performer for the club over the last two years and was in his brilliant best against Leopards, pulling off a string of outstanding saves to deny the holders.

His head coach John Baraza will be eyeing a piece of history when Sofapaka line up against Sharks as he bids to win the Cup competition both as a player and as a tactician.

“Of course that’s a very big motivation to me because everyone wants to make history and this is the kind of history that somebody like me wants.”