Kitara FC’s CAF Confederation Cup run ended in Cairo on Sunday evening, as the Royals lost 4-0 to Al Ahly in the second leg of the round of 32. The defeat, added to the 2-1 loss in Hoima, saw Al Ahly go through 6-1 on aggregate and ended Kitara’s hopes of reaching the group stage.
Coach Wasswa Bbosa kept faith with the side that played last weekend at Hoima City Stadium, hoping for a fighting display at the Cairo International Stadium.
Goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa kept the Royals in it early, twice denying Ben Jdida Soufiane in the 5th and 7th minutes.
Martin Kizza then went close in the 11th minute with a free kick, but Al Ahly goalkeeper and captain El Shenawy saved it.
The breakthrough came in the 37th minute. Mohamed Tawfiq’s delivery was punched out by Mutakubwa straight into the path of Hussein El Shahat, who looped in the rebound.
Just before the break, Al Ahly made it two. Murushid Jjuuko’s pass in the box went astray, El Shahat pounced and set up Mohamed Afsha to score.
Six minutes into the second half, El Shahat got his second with a low shot into the left corner, beyond Mutakubwa’s reach.
Kitara kept fighting for a response. Right back Henry Musisi floated a ball intending to find striker Patrick Kaddu in the box, but it was cleared before Kaddu could get his head to it. Moments later, Gaddafi Wahab thought he had a way back into the game after a good pass from Jimmy Kalema, but his shot ended up in the side net.
Both coaches made three changes after the hour mark. Bbosa withdrew Wahab, Kalema and Frank Tumwesigye, and brought on Mweru Doka, Kabon Living and Emmanuel Wasswa, but by then the game was gone. Al Ahly added a fourth when Mohamed Taher beat Issa Lumu to a cross and powered in a header.
This was Kitara’s second appearance on the continental stage, and the team will take the lessons from this experience back to Hoima as they look to strengthen their domestic campaign.
The team returns on Tuesday morning and attention turns straight to the Uganda Premier League