Uganda Cranes striker Steven Mukwala will be hoping to make his mark today as Simba SC face RS Berkane in the decisive second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup final, set to take place at Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar, a fixture already clouded by pre-match controversy and tension.
Mukwala, who was an unused substitute in the first leg in Morocco, will be keen to contribute to Simba’s comeback hopes after a 2-0 first-leg defeat.
The Ugandan forward’s presence offers a glimmer of local pride as East Africa’s top side attempts to overturn the deficit.
However, the build-up to the game has been anything but smooth.
RS Berkane officials raised eyebrows earlier when they were seen collecting unusual objects, reportedly resembling shellfish and prawns, from the pitch.
They displayed the items to the media, suggesting possible foul play or poor pitch conditions.
This follows an earlier incident on Thursday when Berkane’s delegation was delayed for hours at the airport due to what authorities described as a passport verification system glitch.
Sources have revealed that the club has since filed an official complaint to CAF regarding their treatment and the overall match environment.
Originally scheduled to be played at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, the final was moved to Amaan Stadium due to drainage issues at the Tanzanian venue, another twist in what has become a highly eventful finale.
