Tuesday May 15, 2018
- KCCA (UG) Vs Al Ahly (EGY) – MNS, Namboole 4pm
KCCA host Egypt’s Al Ahly at Namboole in the first ever Caf Champions League group stage match to be played on Ugandan soil.
The Ugandan champions just like the visiting Red Eagles started on a low note with KCCA losing 1-0 to Township Rollers of Botswana on match day one while Al Ahly were held at home by Esperance in group A
The game at Namboole presents either with a chance to pick first maximum points and both coaches haven’t hidden their desire to go for it.
Mike Mutebi however admits his side have respect for the opponents given their rich history but says his young side have a responsibility.
“We respect Al Ahly as a dominant force and for all they have achieved,” Mutebi told the pre-match conference. “But as an emerging force, we have the desire to play against best.
We have the youngest team on the continent with the average age of 21 and we have given these boys responsibility. What I can assure you is that we shall go and play our way.
His counterpart Hossam El Badry who recently led the side to a record 40th league title in Egypt hopes to pick all points after a disappointing draw with Esperance.
“We know KCCA is a good team,” Hossam El Badry said. “We always play with one thing in mind, to win,” he added.
And our main target is to win because we drew our first match. I hope for me and my players to have luck with officiating because in the first match we suffer a lot.
Team News
Muzamiru Mutyaba and Ibrahim Sadam Juma return for the hosts after missing the defeat to Rollers through injury.
They are joined by goalkeeper Charles Lukwago who served a one match ban on match day one.
For the visitors, they are without their foreign legion of Ali Maaloul (Tunisia), Junior Ajayi (Nigeria) and top scorer Walid Azaro (Morocco) but midfielder Amr Soleya and defender Saad Samir who missed the draw with Esperance area available for selection.
Key Stats:
- This will be the first ever meeting between the two sides.
- Al Ahly’s last visit to Uganda was in 2005 when they drew goalless against Denis Onyango inspired SC Villa at Nakivubo stadium.
- KCCA have only won once at Namboole in a continental game – that was in 2015 against Cameroun’s Cosmos De Bafia.
- In 1998, they lost to Zambia’s Power Dynamos, drew 0-0 with Ajax Cape Town in CAF Confederations Cup in 2000, and lost 2-1 to El Merriekh and Nkana FC in the CAF Champions League in 2014.
Man to watch
Ibrahim Sadam Juma’s experience and game intelligence will be key against the Egyptians. A player with quality and flair, he rarely disappoints especially on the continent and much will depend on how he fares on the day.
If he replicates his game against FUS Rabat on his debut for the Kasasiro, then Al Ahly are in for trouble to contain him. A player for big occasions and am sure he wont dissapoint.
Marwan Mohsen will be the main man for the visitors in front of goal. The Egyptian national team forward is the man to lead the line and the KCCA back line must keep a keen eye.
Group A watch
Esperance locks horns Township Rollers same day in Tunis. Ivan Ntege’s side top the group with three points, Ahly and Esperance follow in that order with a point each while KCCA trails the pack pointless.