CAF Confederations Cup
First preliminary round result:
Kitara FC 2-3 Al Hilal Benghazi
Benina Martyrs stadium.
Kitara FC lost 2-3 to Al Hilal Benghazi in the CAF Confederations Cup first round preliminary encounter played at Benina Martyrs stadium in Libya on Friday evening.
The Royals needed a win to gain an advantage going into the return leg next Friday but will now need any victory with a two goal margin if they are to progress.
El Hilal Benghazi got an early lead through a Muhammad Shaban header before Rizik Talha added the second in the 20th minute to end the first half 0-2.
Chrispas Kusiima was sent off for handling the ball outside the box as he tried to deny Shaban from scoring a through ball.
A moment arrived for Kitara through Brian Ahebwa who capitalized on a defensive blunder and volleyed the ball home.
The visitors further stretched their lead through a penalty which their captain converted after the referee judged Ssemugabi Jude to have fouled his marker.
Denis Omedi pulled a second one for his side with ten minutes to the end the game.
The Royals kept probing their opponents and would have equalized only for Titus Ssematimba to miss tapping in a low cross from Ssemugabi.
This result means Kitara must win next Friday’s return leg at the same venue with a two goal margin if they are to progress not the next level where they will face Egyptian side Al Masry.