The wait is almost over. Kitara FC’s CAF Confederation Cup opponents, Mogadishu City FC, touched down in the country on Tuesday, flying in from Somalia via Kenya Airways ahead of Sunday’s first preliminary round clash.
The 37 man delegation was welcomed at Entebbe Airport on Tuesday evening by Kitara FC officials before making the journey to Hoima, where they have since checked into the Golden Castle Hotel to continue their preparations.
It’s a first ever meeting between the two clubs, and while the Royals have been here before, having tasted continental football previously, this clash carries fresh intrigue. Kitara will be out to make home advantage count in front of a passionate Hoima crowd when the two sides lock horns at the Hoima City Stadium this Sunday, with a ticket to the second qualifying round up for grabs.
Neither side is walking into this one not prepared. Mogadishu City arrive with three competitive matches under their belt in the new Somalia national league season, a campaign that’s brought mixed fortunes so far; an entertaining 4-2 win over Gantaalaha Afgooye in their opener, followed by back to back defeats, 3-1 to Gaadiidka FC and 1-0 against Heegan.
Kitara, for their part, opened their StarTimes Uganda Premier League campaign with a battling away performance, holding SC Villa to a 1-1 draw at Wankulukuku last Saturday a result that will have given the technical bench plenty to build on heading into continental duty.
With tickets already moving briskly across outlets in Hoima and Masindi, and online sales open too, Sunday promises to be a special occasion.