Hoima City Stadium | 4:00pm
Kitara FC stand on the brink of a landmark achievement as they host Somalia’s Mogadishu City Club on Saturday, seeking to reach the second preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup for the first time.
The Royals carry a slender but valuable 2-1 advantage from last week’s first leg, which was also played at Hoima City Stadium after Mogadishu City elected to host the encounter at the Ugandan venue.
That result puts Kitara in the driving seat, with George Lutalo’s side needing to avoid defeat to secure their place in the next round, where Egyptian giants Al Ahly await.
Kitara could even survive a 1-0 defeat under the away-goals rule, although the Ugandan side will be wary of leaving their fate to such a narrow margin given how competitive the first leg proved.
Lutalo has received a timely boost ahead of the decisive encounter, with experienced trio Nicholas Kasozi, Murushid Jjuuko and Martin Kizza now available after missing the first leg because of CAF licensing issues.
The Kitara coach is confident his charges are ready for the challenge.
“From our last training, everyone is good and looking forward to the game,” Lutalo told the media.
“The target is to play well and qualify, and the return of our players who didn’t play [in the first leg] gives us more confidence and choices,” he added.
The returnees could significantly strengthen Kitara’s options, with Kasozi in contention for the holding midfield role, while Jjuuko is expected to partner Isa Lumu at centre-back, potentially pushing Benjamin Nyakoojo to the bench.
In attack, Jimmy Kalema, Patrick Kaddu and Kabon Living could retain their places, although Kizza provides Lutalo with another experienced option for the front three.
However, Kitara cannot afford complacency despite entering the second leg as favourites.
Mogadishu City showed enough quality in the opening encounter to suggest they remain a serious threat, particularly after having a legitimate-looking goal ruled out for offside.
The visitors will arrive knowing that another disciplined performance could put pressure on the Royals and overturn the deficit.
For Kitara, though, the equation is straightforward: protect their advantage, finish the job and earn a historic passage into the Confederation Cup’s second preliminary round.
