Kitara FC seeks victory against Al Hilal after defeat in 1st leg

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Hoima-based Kitara FC will take the field on Friday for the return leg of their CAF Confederations Cup preliminary round clash against Libya’s Al Hilal Benghazi.

The team hopes to overturn their 3-2 defeat from the first leg, which took place last week at the Martyrs of Benina stadium in Libya.

“We didn’t get the results we had wanted in the first leg, every player gave their best that night, especially the last half and you saw what happened. We managed to score two goals and even defend better and with that kind of display from my teammates we can make it”, Kitara’s inform striker Denis Omedi said ahead of the game.

Unlike SC Villa, who compete in the CAF Champions League, Kitara FC faces the challenge of playing both legs at their opponents’ stadium. The club could not secure a home venue in Uganda, where only St. Mary’s Stadium Kitende and Mandela National Stadium are approved for CAF matches.

St. Mary’s was unavailable, and Namboole was deemed unsuitable due to a newly installed wet running track.

Kitara FC had to host their “home” match in Libya, losing a crucial home advantage.

Kitara, who are playing on the continent for the first time, were unable to conceal their inexperience in their first game. It was evident when they conceded two goals in the first 20 minutes.

Their situation worsened when goalkeeper Chripus Kusiima was sent off just five minutes into the second half for handling the ball outside the penalty area.

This forced head coach Brian Ssenyondo to make a tactical change, sacrificing defender Benjamin Nyakoojo to bring on substitute goalkeeper Farouk Yawe.

But, the royals grew into the game, showed resilience, and nearly made a comeback, after Brian Aheebwa and Denis Omedi’s two goals offered a glimpse of a comeback. However, their hopes were dashed when a potential handball call, which could have changed the course of the match, was waved off by the referee.

“It will be a very tough game, but we have the determination and confidence that we can go far come Friday should we minimize the errors that cost us the first leg,” Omedi added ahead of the return leg.

They will have to win the return leg fixture with two goals or more if they are to progress to the second preliminary round of this tournament.

Kitara joined the growing list of Ugandan clubs that have competed in Africa’s secondary club football tournament since its inception in 2004, including KCCA FC, URA FC, Express FC, SC Villa, and Proline. Some of these clubs have successfully progressed past the preliminary rounds.

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