Sunday, October 25
•Al Ahly Vs Kitara – Cairo, 7pm
Kitara FC will be seeking a historic turnaround when they face Egyptian giants Al Ahly in the second leg of their CAF Confederation Cup Round of 32 tie on Sunday night at Cairo International Stadium.
The Royals head into the tie trailing 2-1 from the first leg played at Hoima City Stadium last weekend, leaving them with work to do if they are to reach the group stage for the first time in the club’s history.
Gaddafi Wahab gave Kitara the lead in the first leg, finishing off a Martin Kizza assist in the 30th minute, but Al Ahly responded after the break through Omar El Saiy and Ahmed Moustafa Zizou to claim victory.
Despite the deficit, Kitara coach Wasswa Bbosa remains optimistic about his team’s chances after a positive build-up in Egypt.
“The trip to Cairo has gone well and we have had a good training session and a feel of the stadium. There’s lots of positivity; the players are motivated and ready to give a good game tomorrow and go through,” Bbosa said after the team’s final training session.
Striker Patrick Kaddu is expected to be among the players tasked with leading the Ugandan side’s attack. Having previously featured at Cairo International Stadium with the Uganda Cranes and Egyptian club Ismaily SC, Kaddu is familiar with the venue.
“I’ve played at this venue before, so the environment is not new to me. But that was in the past. This is a new game and the whole team is set to give its best against Al Ahly,” he said.
Kaddu contributed to Kitara’s first-leg goal, setting up Kizza in the move that resulted in Wahab’s opener.
The Royals will also look to Jimmy Kalema, their leading scorer in the competition with three goals, as they seek the goals needed to overturn the deficit. Kalema was substituted in the second half of the first leg, but Bbosa will be hoping he can make an impact in Cairo.
Wahab, Kizza and Kaddu provide further attacking options as Kitara attempt to upset the record African champions on their home ground.
Kitara will, however, be without Nicholas Kasozi and Karim Ndugwa, while the rest of the squad is available for selection.
The Ugandan side must win to have a chance, a win by two or more goals would secure Kitara’s progress to the group stages.
Post a comment