Caf Champions League return leg;
Saturday 2nd, March 2013
URA FC Vs Coton Sport Garua (Both teams drew 0-0 in the first leg)
After Uganda Revenue Authority (URA FC) held Cameroon’s Coton Sport to a barren draw in the first leg of the 2013 Caf champions League preliminary round match, the tax collectors may sit on their laurels thinking it will be easy to eliminate their opponents in Kampala come the second leg.
Of course you can’t down play their fight to achieve such a credible result away from home against all odds but it’s just half time.
Good enough, Coach Paul Nkata realised the match is still evenly poised after the first leg saying both teams still have a 50-50 chance come the return leg.
And if history is to go by, URA FC has only managed to win at home in a continental competition just once beating Lesotho’s Correctional Services 3-0 at Namboole last year at this stage. Before this, their best results have always been barren draws and at worst, lost their last home Caf tie 2-0 to Djoliba of Mali.
Other reminders to the 2012 Uganda Cup winners should date as far back as 1976 and 2003 when Express FC and SC Villa bowed out at home despite impressive first leg performances away from home.
In 1976, Express FC held Nigeria’s Enugu Rangers to a goal less draw in Lagos before crumbling at Nakivubo in the return leg. Despite taking a 2-0 lead thanks to Stanley Mubiru and Wilson Nsobya’s strikes, the Red Eagles crumbled with ten minutes left on the clock after conceding two late goals. The 2-2 draw at home meant Enugu Rangers progressed on away goals rule to leave the most Express FC faithful in disbelief.
Forward to 2003, SC Villa against all odds stunned Angola’s AS Aviacao with a 2-1 defeat thanks to goals by Vincent Tendwa and Alex Isabirye in Luanda. It appeared as though much work was done as the Jogoos just needed a draw of any kind at home to make it to the next stage.
Come D-day, thousands of fans filled Namboole Stadium to cheer their side and see their team finish the job they felt had already been done. Shockingly, the Angolans took the lead in the 79th minute but still SC Villa led on away goals rule.
With just a minute left on the clock, AS Aviacao doubled the lead to send the Villa fans in the cold and the final whistle meant SC Villa had been eliminated 3-2 on aggregate.
If those two examples are to be seriously taken, then Nkata and his charges must avoid complacency going into the second leg but work towards ensuring a good result come Saturday a feat I guess they can easily achieve.