Kitara vs Al Ahly: What Ugandan Team is Counting on To Upset Egyptian Giants

Kitara FC head coach Wasswa Bbosa is calling for tactical discipline and sharp finishing as his side prepares to take on African powerhouse Al Ahly in the CAF Confederation Cup.

The Royals are set to welcome the Egyptian giants to the Hoima City Stadium on Saturday, October 17, for the first leg of their second preliminary round clash. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 PM local time.

Despite the daunting reputation of their decorated opponents, Bbosa remains upbeat about Kitara’s chances of pulling off a major continental upset after scouting the Cairo-based side.

“We have analyzed several of their matches and firmly believe we have what it takes to hurt them and eliminate them from the tournament,” Bbosa toldCK Sports. “The squad is completely locked in, which is every manager’s dream heading into a fixture like this.”

Bbosa's tactical blueprint ahead of the high-stakes encounter revolves around rigid defensive structure and cautious attacking transitions.

“Matches against heavyweights such as Al Ahly come down to fine margins,” the tactician explained. “Our primary focus in training has been maintaining a tight defensive block, pushing forward together, and ensuring we quickly recover our defensive shape whenever we surrender possession.”

The manager also challenged his forward line to be ruthless in front of goal, stressing that home efficiency will be vital before the squad heads to Cairo for the decisive second leg on October 24.

“Keeping a clean sheet is paramount, but we also have to be lethal and convert every scoring opportunity that comes our way,” he added.

Kitara endured a sluggish start to their domestic season with back-to-back 1-1 stalemates against SC Villa and Express FC, largely due to profligacy in the final third. However, subsequent victories against Kigezi Homeboyz (1-0) and Kataka FC (2-1) have injected much-needed momentum into the camp.

The Ugandan outfit has also been bolstered by a clean bill of health across the entire squad.

“Every player is fully fit and ready for selection,” Bbosa confirmed. “We give Al Ahly the respect they deserve, but that won't deter us from playing with intensity and chasing a positive result on our own turf.”

The aggregate winner over the two legs will secure a coveted place in the CAF Confederation Cup group stage.