The Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benghazi witnessed a five-goal thriller in the first leg of the preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup, where Kitara Football Club, after a shaky start and red card, fought back but ultimately felt short to Al Hilal Benghazi in a 3-2 defeat.
Despite a spirited second-half comeback, the Ugandan side, who were making their first appearance in continental football, were left to rue a slow start and the absence of home advantage as they struggled to contain the Libyan outfit.
Kitara were forced to host the leg in Libya due to failure to secure any of the two CAF certified stadiums in Uganda – Namboole and Kitende. The game was broadcast live on NBS Sport.
The disadvantage of missing their home crowd support was evident as they conceded twice in the first half.
Ugandan international Muhamed Shaban, who is Al Hilal’s new signing, opened his account for the club in the 2nd minute, heading in a free kick to give Al Hilal the lead.
Kitara coach Brian Ssenyondo responded to the 1-0 deficit by making an early tactical change, bringing on striker Brian Aheebwa for midfielder Marvin Nyanzi.
However, Al Hilal’s Talha Rizq doubled the advantage in the 20th minute, putting the Libyan side firmly in control as the teams headed into halftime.
Making matters worse for Kitara, disaster struck shortly after the break when their goalkeeper Crispus Kusiima, was sent off in the 50th minute for handling the ball outside the area.
Benjamin Nyakojo then had to be substituted for goalkeeper Farouk Yawe to replace Kusiima.
Shortly after, Al Hilal’s Muhammad Shaban thought he had scored his brace and third for the club, but the assistant referee’s flag saved Kitara from the even greater deficit.
Despite being a man down, The Royals showed remarkable resilience. Brian Aheebwa capitalised on a mix-up between the Al Hilal goalkeeper and defender in the 62nd minute, volleying into an empty net to halve the deficit.
The joy was short-lived, however, as Al Hilal captain Faisal Al-Badru restored the two-goal cushion from the penalty spot moments later.
Kitara refused to back down though. Denis Omedi struck in the 82nd minute, converting a composed finish to make it 3-2 keep his team’s hopes alive.
There was drama in the final minutes as Kitara were denied what appeared to be a clear penalty when the referee waved away appeals for handball in the Al Hilal area, leaving Kitara players and fans wondering what might have been.
3-2 it ended in favour of Al Hilal Benghazi, but Kitara’s performance in the second half showed they are not out of the tie yet.
The return leg, set for next Friday, August 23 at the same venue, will require a two-goal victory if Kitara are to progress to the next stage, where Egyptian giants Al Masry await.
