CAF Confederation Cup (Group A):
- KCCA FC 2-1 Club Africain
KCCA FC recovered from a goal down to edge Tunisian side, Club Africain 2-1 in a CAF Confederation Cup Group A encounter played at the Phillip Omondi stadium, Lugogo in Kampala on Tuesday.
Mokhtar Belkhither gave the North Africans the lead with a fabulous shot from 20 yards out after a well laid by skipper Saber Khalifa.
Derrick Nsibambi found the equalizer on the stroke of halftime as both sides returned to the locker rooms all square.
Tom Masiko’ stunning shot from distance past a stranded Farouk Ben Moustapha lifted up the moods of KCCA fans in the stands as the reigning Uganda Premier League champions took the lead on 63 minutes.
However, when the game kicked off, it was the visitors who had an early surge at the KCCA goal area. Saber Khalifa tested Benjamin Ochan from 30 yards with a free-kick as early as the third minute.
Three minutes later, Isaac Kirabira had a long range shot flying across of goal.
Ahmed Khelil fouled youngster Allan Okello on the right towards the 10th minute with Masiko missing the resultant free-kick and in the next minute, Jaziri Fakherddine missed from 25 yards.
The opening goal of the day came in the 18th minute from a long range shot by right back Mokhtar that caught Ochan napping.
Club Africain suffered a set-back when Oussama Hadadi got injured before his place was taken by the towering Seif Touka.
Inside the 60 seconds of the two added minutes, Dennis Okot crossed from the right and a well stationed Derrick Nsibambi out-jumped his marker to nod home powerfully past goalie Ben Mustapha for the equalizer.
Club Africain called for the second change of the day when Ali Abdi paved way for Oussama Darragi in the 58th minute.
Left back Habib Kavuma who played in a rather more offensive role in the game found himself in a shooting position but his effort off a weaker right foot flew across of goal 4 minutes into the second half.
The home side took the lead 3 minutes after the hour mark when Masiko scored a stunning strike from about 25 yards out.
Six minutes later, Club Africain’s Saber Khalifa was cautioned for a malicious foul.
An industrious Okello paved way for Paul Mucureezi on the 70th minute mark at the same time, Club Africain’s Wissem Ben Yahya replaced Ahmed Khelil.
The visitors had a goal disallowed with Ousamma Darragi’s header ruled out for off-side.
With the last 14 minutes left on the clock, Mike Mutebi introduced Isaac Muleme for Habib Kavuma to hold on the lead. Muleme however got booked in his first involvement after for playing the ball away after referee Ahmad Imtehaz had already signaled for the visitors’ free-kick.
Club Africain defender Seif Touka missed contact to the ball 7 minutes to full time off a teasing free-kick by Nader Ghandri.
KCCA now has three points, same as Club Africain.
Nigeria’s Rivers United will play Morocoans FUS Rabat in the other game on Wednesday in Port Harcourt.
KCCA XI: Benjamin Ochan (GK, Captain), Denis Rukundo, Habib Kavuma, Denis Okot Oola, Timothy Denis Awany, Isaac Kirabira, Tom Masiko, Paul Musamali, Geofrey Sserunkuma, Derrick Nsibambi, Allan Okello
Subs: Lawrence Bukenya, Ivan Ntege, Noel Nasasira, Julius Poloto, Douglas Kisembo (G.K), Isaac Muleme
Club Africain XI: Farouk Ben Mustapha (G.K), Bilel Ifa, Ahmed Khelil, Nader Ghandri, Ali Abdi, Mokhtar Belkhither, Slimen Kchouk, Ibrahim Chenihi, Ghazi Ayadi, Jaziri Fakherddine, Saber Khalifa (Captain)
Subs: Hamza Aguerebi, Imed Meniaoui, Mannoubi Hadded, Wissem Ben Yahya, Oussama Darragi, Seif Touka
Match Officials:
Center Referee: Ahmad Imtehaz Heeralall (Mauritius)
Assistant Referee 1: Vivian Vally (Mauritius)
Assistant Referee 2: Jean Daniel Telvar (Mauritius)
4th official: Dharamveer Hurbungs (Mauritius)
Commissioner: Tarig Atta Salih (Sudan)
General Coordinator: Victor Lawrence Lual Lual (South Sudan)
