Kitara Football Club will need a combination of great defense and good attacking in the return leg against Al Hilal Benghazi if they are to progress to the second preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup.
The match will be played tomorrow, Friday August 23 at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benghazi, starting at 8 PM EAT.
The stakes couldn’t be higher for Kitara, who must overturn a 3-2 deficit from the first leg to advance to the next round.
In the first encounter, Kitara’s shaky defense allowed in two early goals, placing them in a precarious position.
Al Hilal’s new signing, Ugandan international Muhammad Shaban, made an immediate impact by heading in a free kick just two minutes into the match.
Talha Rizq doubled the lead for the Libyan side in the 20th minute, capitalising on another defensive lapse.
Despite Kitara’s spirited comeback, with goals from Denis Omedi and Brian Aheebwa, Al Hilal managed to score a third, leaving Kitara with a daunting task ahead of the return leg.
Kitara now need to win by at least two goals to secure their place in the second preliminary round, where Egyptian giants Al Masry await.
A one-goal victory in a higher-scoring affair or a replication of the first leg’s result could also see the Ugandan side advance via penalties, with the away goals rule still in effect.
Coach Brian Ssenyondo is expected to field a defensive lineup featuring new signing Ronald Otti, captain Maxwell Owachigiu, Arthur Kiggundu and Benjamin Nyakoojo.
This defensive unit must be at its best to neutralise the threats posed by Shaban and his teammates.
The absence of first-choice goalkeeper Crispus Kusiima, who was sent off in the first leg, adds pressure on backup Farouk Yawe, who will have the unenviable task of keeping Al Hilal at bay.
While a solid defense is crucial, Kitara’s chances of success will also depend on their attacking prowess.
Denis Omedi, who scored Kitara’s second goal in the first leg, will be key.
The forward, who finished the domestic league with 15 goals and four assists, and recently scored a stunner for Kitara in the FUFA Super 8 encounter against KCCA m, is confident heading into the match.
“We saw their weaknesses and scored two goals by putting pressure on them, but we must do it collectively and early enough,” Omedi emphasized.
Alongside Omedi, Brian Aheebwa, who, as a substitute, scored a stunning long-range goal in the first leg, will be expected to deliver, not forgetting Jude Ssemugabi and George Senkaaba.
The recent addition of Fred Amaku, a prolific forward with 36 goals and 12 assists for Maroons over the last three seasons, could also provide Kitara with the attacking depth needed to breach Al Hilal’s defense.
If Kitara emerge victorious in this tie, and the second preliminary round, they will become the third Ugandan team to reach the group stages of a continental tournament, following in the footsteps of KCCA and Vipers.
