Kitara has surely got its work cut out against Al-Ahly

Kitara FC’s visit to Egypt is presented as one of the most complicated in its recent history.

It surely pales in comparison with their first outing on the continent, back in 2024, when they were eliminated at the preliminary stage of the Caf Confederation Cup by Libyan side, Al Hilal Benghazi 6-4 on aggregate.

Like many other Ugandan club sides before, SC Villa and KCCA FC, for example, Kitara have the special privilege of facing Africa’s greatest club side in its fortress at the Cairo International Stadium this weekend.

In a way, it is a great honour for Kitara, who have an opportunity to be the first Ugandan side to win away to Al Ahly. Trust me, it would be monumental if Kitara pulled off such a feat.

It should be noted that for the first leg, Al Ahly rested at least seven of their usual starters that had played in their previous league game against fierce rivals Zamalek. So, one can only imagine what this Al Ahly side will be like when they are at full compliment, as they could choose to be in the return leg.

Of course it goes without saying that before Kitara face them again this weekend, Al Ahly will have played a midweek Egypt Premier League game against Al Qanah. Maybe a little fatigue from that game could provide relief for Kitara.

Otherwise, Kitara have their work cut out as things stand. You see, after Kitara lost at home 1-2 in Hoima last weekend against Al Ahly, they surely have a mountain to climb heading to Egypt.

First of all, Kitara needs at least a 2-0 win in Cairo to knock out Al Ahly who have played 413 matches in total across all Caf competitions in their illustrious history. Al Ahly have a record of 207 wins, 114 draws, and 92 losses and have won 25 trophies in total.

During the first leg last weekend, it was quite evident which of the two teams showed pedigree in the face-off. Because of the fact that Al Ahly are used to being in continental action, they showed great experience in managing and controlling the game from start to finish.

They knew when to just keep knocking the ball around, to compel Kitara into endless running, which tired them. But at the same time, they knew when to up the tempo or even force the issue by going forward.

On the other hand, every time Kitara seemed to have possession, they did not stay with it long enough. First, this also could have been attributed to the fact that Al Ahly’s ball retention ability was as a result of better technical ability.

Now, one can bet that since Al Ahly could be that dominant away from home, it surely will be a lot worse for Kitara when they are playing in front of a partisan home crowd that are expected to make deafening cheers for their team.

Yet, I believe, it is at such a stage that Kitara’s experienced charges like Murushid Jjuuko, who played at the 2017 and 2019 Africa Cup of Nations for Uganda, Frank “Zaga” Tumwesigye, Gaddafi Wahab, scorer of the opener against Al Ahly, goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa (Cranes goalkeeper at the last Chan tournament), Issa Lumu, Living Kabon and Patrick Kaddu, who scored Cranes first goal against DR Congo at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, must show character to lead.

Although it goes without saying that this Al Ahly side has players that were at the recent Fifa World Cup like Zizou, Emam Ashour and goalkeepers Mostafa Shobeir and Mohammed El-Shenawy (who kept goal in the first leg), for Kitara, they should be inspired to upset them.

**HOW KITARA CAN EMULATE THE 1991 SC VILLA **

In 1991, SC Villa eliminated Al Ahly through a penalty shoot-out, following a 2-2 aggregate score. The Jogoos won 4-2 on penalties and qualified for the semi-finals of the Caf Champions League then.

But of course, the SC Villa side of the time, had its unique qualities. Similarly, Kitara can find its strengths to emulate that act. Going by what Kitara tried to do in the first leg, which was playing a low block and trying to catch Al Ahly on the counter-attack, they surely must ensure that they perfect it in the second leg.

A good counter-attacking team ensures that once they have the ball, even for the few seconds that could be, they use it effectively. But Kitara did not do that substantially in the first leg.

Every time they tried to break out through Martin Kizza on the wing, he just did not get enough support from his teammates. Clearly, Kitara took long to get into attacking mode, which rendered their offence ineffective.

I hope coach Wasswa Bbosa addressed that problem. If he did not, then he has short-changed his team. After realizing that they cannot match Al Ahly’s possession game, Kitara must have found their strong point.

If you decide to counterattack, players must be flying out of their defensive shape in numbers and in good positions to exploit the spaces left behind by Al Ahly. HISTORY OF

**OTHER UGANDAN CLUBS AGAINST AL AHLY **

In 1980, Jinja-based Nile Breweries (Nile) FC emerged as league champions and became the first upcountry team to win the league. After Nile eliminated Central Africa Republic’s TP USCA Bangui 4-1 on aggregate, they booked Al Ahly in the second round of the event.

In Kampala, the Ugandan side surprised the Egyptians with a 2-0 defeat at Nakivubo Stadium, courtesy of Mathew Lucha and Richard Makumbi goals. In Cairo, the Ugandans were walloped 5-0.

In 1985, Express won its maiden Uganda Cup title after defeating KCCA FC 3-1 at Nakivubo Stadium to book the Cairo giants. In the first leg of the Africa Cup Winners Cup against Al Ahly, Express lost 2-0 in Cairo and it looked like a narrow loss which the Red Eagles looked certain to reverse in Kampala.

Express was a star-studded side of players like Issa Sekatawa, Jimmy Muguwa, Dan Lutalo, Fred Mukasa, Paul Nkata, Phillip Musoke and Moses Ndaula. Ironically, The Red Eagles nicked Al Ahly 1-0 but bowed out 2-1 on aggregate.

In 2004, SC Villa won the league and represented Uganda in the 2005 Caf Champions League. The Villa Park side first eliminated Ethiopia’s Adulis Club on 3-0 aggregate. They booked a date with Al Ahly in the next round.

In the first leg at Nakivubo Stadium, the exploits of goalkeeper Denis Onyango kept out the threat of Al Ahly’s Mohamed Aboutrika, Wael Gomaa, Ahmed Fathy, and Ahmed Hassan for the game to end 0-0.

But in the return leg, Villa were left for dead in a 5-0 drubbing. In May 2018, KCCA played in the group stages of the Africa Champions’ League and the Ugandan side was pooled in group ‘A’ with Al Ahly, Esperance and Botswana’s Township Rollers.

In their match against Al Ahly, KCCA beat the visiting Egyptian side 2-0 at Mandela National Stadium, courtesy of Saddam Juma and Timothy Awany goals. In the return leg in Alexandra, the Mike Mutebi charges were beaten 4-3.

Jackson Nunda, Peter Magambo and Allan Okello scored the KCCA goals. All in all, Kitara is facing a gigantic task but whatever the result in Cairo, the Bunyoro-based side is still a work in progress.

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