NAIROBI, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The county government in Kenya's Kakamega on Thursday stepped in to finance the 2018 CAF Confederations Cup on Sunday featuring local sides AFC Leopards and FOSA Juniors of Madagascar.

The county will bankroll the first-leg preliminary tie clash that will be played at Bukhungu Stadium with the Kenyan football giants struggling to make ends meet following the withdrawal of the sponsor last month.

According to Leopards Secretary General Oscar Igaida, the teams will be hosted by the county in a bid to make the 2017 domestic cup champions "feel at home" on their return to the second-tier continental competition for the first time since 2014.

"Our main aim is to qualify for the group stages of the Continental Cup and boost our chances of progressing.

"Overall, the mood at the camp is optimistic and the players are ready to put up a spirited performance," Igaida said.

The Leopards are coming to the match against FOSA on a run of two games without a win having started their 2018 league campaign with a 1-1 draw at home to Posta Rangers FC in Bukhungu.

The 12-time Kenyan league winners crashed out in the first round of the 2014 Confed Cup after losing 4-2 on aggregate to South African side SuperSport United FC.