CAF Champions League (Group A):
- Tuesday, 15th May 2018
- KCCA (Uganda) Vs Al Ahly Sporting Club (Egypt)
*At Mandela National Stadium, Namboole (4 pm)
Egyptian giant club Al Alhly arrived in Uganda on Saturday afternoon ahead of the CAF Champions league group A encounter with Uganda’s 12 time league winners, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) F.C.
The delegation from Egypt set foot aboard Emirates Airlines by 1:50 pm at the lake side Entebbe International Airport.
They were received and warmly welcomed by KCCA officials led by protocol member Adrian Lumala before the team players and officials were driven to Sheraton Kampala Hotel in the Ugandan capital city.
Already champions in the Egyptian Premier League having accumulated a massive 85 points, a massive 17 points adrift of second placed Ismaily, Al Ahly are set to face the Uganda reigning champions at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.
Led by their legendary head coach Hossam El-Badry, many of the players and officials seemed relaxed after winning an international build up match against Dutch side, Ajax Amsterdam 1-0 on Friday night in Doha.
20 year old Salah Mohsen scored the lone strike for Al Ahly against Ajax Amsterdam.
In his first interview moments after arrival, El Badry believes KCCA’s young team will present a challenge but they are ready to work for maximum points;
We are prepared for the match mentally and physically. It will be an important game for us. We hope to win. They (KCCA) have a young team and we think they will raise to the occasion with a brave fight
The Egyptians are hungry for the win in Kampala having registered just one win in their last four matches in all competitions.
Before winning 1-0 against Ajax Amsterdam, their last win had come away from home in the domestic league action, triumphing 2-1 over Petrojet on 22nd April 2018.
The Red Devils had lost 2-1 at home to rivals Zamalek four days later and were ejected 1-0 in the Egypt cup at the quarter final stage by lowly Alassiouty, home to Uganda Cranes left back Isaac Muleme.
Most recently, they were held at home by visiting ES Tunis in their group A opener of the CAF Champions league.
Al Ahly has won a record 40 national titles in Egypt, 36 Egypt Cups, 8 CAF Champions league honours, 6 CAF Super Cups and one CAF Confederation cup title as well.
The team has six of the 2018 World Cup bound squad for Egypt national team.
Goalkeeper Mohamed Elshenawy, defender Sherif Ekramy, right back Saad Samir, right back Ahmed Fathy, midfielder Hossam Ashour and forward Morwan Mohsen all traveled for the Kampala show piece.
KCCA lost in the opening group A match away to Botswana side, Township Rollers whilst Al Ahly drew goal-less with Tunisia’s Esperence.