Kitara FC 1-2 Al Ahly: Match Report
Kitara FC lost 1-2 at home to Egypt’s Al Ahly in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup round of 32 on Saturday evening at Hoima City Stadium.
The Royals began brightly, kept the ball well and played with confidence in the opening minutes. Al Ahly still created the first real chances, but they could not make them count.
Goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa was called into action in the 8th minute, parrying Mohamed Moursy’s header onto the upright and out for a corner. Moments later, Achraf Dari was teed up by Moursy after a quick move from midfield, but he sent his effort over and wide.
Kitara took the lead on the half hour. In-form midfielder Frank Zaga Tumwesigye found Patrick Kaddu, who cushioned the ball neatly and slipped it to Martin Kizza. Kizza’s cross into the box was met by Gaddafi Wahab, who tapped past Mohamed Elshenawy to send the home crowd into a frenzy.
That goal separated the sides at the break.
Al Ahly made three changes in the 63rd minute, looking for a quick response, and the second half turned in their favour.
Kitara were pushed back as the Egyptians pressed forward and made use of set pieces to test coach Wasswa Bbosa’s men.
The equaliser came in the 67th minute. Substitute Ahmed Moustafa Zizou swung in a sharp cross that found its way between defenders Jasper Aheebwa and Murushid Jjuuko, and Omar El Saiy fired it past Mutakubwa.
Bbosa responded by taking off scorer Wahab for Alex Emmanuel Wasswa, hoping for fresh legs and more energy up front. Wasswa soon set up Misi Diego Ssemugera, whose long range shot went wide.
With fifteen minutes left, Kizza and Kaddu made way for attackers Kabon Living and Isaac Amutuhaire.
The visitors then went ahead from the penalty spot after Jasper Baguma brought down Akram Tawfiq in the box. Zizou stepped up and scored.
Kitara kept pushing for a late goal. In the 88th minute, Jjuuko arrived a touch late to meet a good corner from Kabon, missing a chance to tap in. Another Kabon set piece, meant for Chrispas Asiki, went unclaimed and ended up as a goal kick for the visitors.
Speaking after the game, Bbosa pointed to discipline as the key factor.
“We lost the game because of our discipline on the pitch. The penalty we conceded could have been avoided, but it cost us. Looking at the game in general, we did not create many goal-scoring opportunities, though our opponents were more clinical in the second half. They put their chances to use and won the game at our expense,” he said.
The result leaves Kitara with a lot to do. They must win away in Cairo next Sunday to reach the group stage for the first time in the club’s history, and Bbosa says the team is already working on the issues.
“We have to approach the return leg with more caution by avoiding the mistakes we made. We are going to work on some of these areas here in training, and hopefully we shall get the results we need away,” he added.