ENTEBBE, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- KCCA FC, Uganda's representatives in the 2018 CAF Total Africa Champions League, traveled to Madagascar this morning ahead of their game on Saturday.

"We are going for a real battle and to make sure that we get a good result before the return leg at home in two weeks. It is always good to get a good away result in such a competition," coach Mike Hillary Mutebi told Xinhua before the team left aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight.

The Uganda Premier League Champions will take on Madagascar giants CNAPS in the first leg of the preliminary round. Saddam Ibrahim Juma who was also part of the Uganda Cranes team that competed at the recently concluded Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) in Morocco, told Xinhua that the team is well motivated ahead of the encounter. "We know what to expect in Madagascar and we know how to react," Juma said.

Mutebi, who guided KCCA FC to the group stage of the 2017 CAF Confederations Cup, said the three build-up games in Kenya over a week ago helped his team fix problems and find the best playing formations. The team will however miss the services of injured attacking midfielder Muzamir Mutyaba.

KCCA FC will look to key players like Derrick Nsibambi, scorer of the Uganda Cranes' only goal at the 2018 Total Africa Nations Championship (CHAN). Juma and striker Muhammad Shaban who was the top scorer in the 2017 COSAFA U-20 Championship, will also look to make key contributions for the Ugandan side.

The CAF Champions League is the most lucrative tournament for top African teams that excel in their respective leagues at home, while the CAF Confederations Cup is meant for teams that win their domestic knock out cups.