CAF Confederation Cup
First Preliminary Round
Second Leg
Today, 4pm
At Hoima City Stadium
Kitara v Mogadishu
Agg (Kitara 2-1 Mogadishu)
Fees: Ordinary- sh20,000 and VIP-sh50,000
Kitara FC have put themselves within touching distance of the CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary round, but coach Wasswa Bbosa knows there is little room for complacency when Somalia’s Mogadishu City Club return to Hoima City Stadium today.
The Ugandan side take a 2-1 lead into the return leg after Jimmy Kalema’s brace secured victory in the opening encounter. But the narrow advantage does not tell the full story of a first leg in which Kitara were made to work harder than expected by an ambitious Mogadishu side.
Now, the challenge for Kitara is to turn that slender lead into qualification.
Mogadishu showed enough in the first meeting to convince Kitara that the tie is far from over. The Somali side moved the ball confidently, created openings and exposed weaknesses in Kitara’s defence, only to be let down by poor finishing and two costly mistakes from goalkeeper Arias Kokou.
Kitara, meanwhile, failed to make full use of the opportunities that came their way. Several chances went begging, leaving supporters wondering why the game was not settled more convincingly.
With the return leg again taking place at Hoima City Stadium, Kitara have another opportunity to impose themselves and produce the performance their supporters expect.
Bbosa acknowledged that his players fell short of their best but believes the lessons from the opening game have been absorbed.
“It is true we had so many chances in the first game which we did not convert. We also had weaknesses in defence, but all those mistakes have been worked on,” he said.
Mogadishu coach John Kamau, however, believes his side remain firmly in the contest.
“The tie is still open. We did not play poorly in the first leg, and that gives me confidence that we can overturn the result,” Kamau said.
The equation is straightforward. Kitara will advance with a win or any draw, while Mogadishu need victory by at least two goals. A 2-1 win for the visitors would force the tie into a decisive outcome under the competition rules, while a 2-2 or higher draw would take Kitara through.
Beyond qualification, the return leg represents an opportunity for Kitara to demonstrate that their continental ambitions are backed by the quality and consistency required at this level.
The winner will meet Egyptian giants Al Ahly in the second preliminary round, with a place in the group stage awaiting the team that emerges victorious over two legs.
