KCCA shocks African giants Al Ahly in Kampala | CAF Champions League

CAF Champions League (Group A):

• KCCA (Uganda) 2-0 Al Ahly (Egypt)

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Football Club sent shock waves across the African continent with a 2-0 home victory against eight-time African champions, Al Ahly Sporting Club during a CAF Champions league group A match played at the Mandela National Stadium, Kampala on Tuesday.

Midfielder Ibrahim Sadam Juma and defender Denis Timothy Awany scored the two second half goals for the 12 time Ugandan champions.

It was a game of completely two different halves with the visitors dominating the opening stanza and the hosts taking over the subsequent half.

Ten minutes into the game, Marwan Tharwat had the first chance for Al Ahly when he was denied by goalkeeper Charles Lukwago just outside the goal area as the shot stopper thrilled with his rare ball dribbling skills.

14 minutes later, KCCA defender Habib Kavuma was adjudged to have held the ball with his hands and a penalty was awarded. Lukwago saved the resultant kick from Walid Said Ebeib to keep the game even goal-less.

KCCA’s first attempt at the opposition goal arrived after half an hour of action when striker Muhammed Shaban headed narrowly over the bar from a curling Julius Poloto header.

Shaban shot just over the bar from 20 yards two minutes later after quick exchange of passes with midfielder Jackson Nunda.

With 10 minutes to the end of the first half, Lukwago once against reacted faster off the goal-line to deny Phakamani Mahlambi in another goalie to beat incident.

The goalkeeper was again alert to tame a Marwan header just inside the area as the two sides returned to the locker rooms for the mandatory half time break tied goal-less.

At the onset of the second half, KCCA called for the first change of the game. Lawrence Bukenya replaced the tired legs of Jackson Nunda.

Allan Okello tested El Shenawy from 25 yards but it was an easy and routine collection for the lanky Egyptian goalkeeper.

In the 56^th minute, Salah Mohsen Mohamed Shalabi replaced Phakamani Mahlambi.

KCCA’s golden moment arrived in the 58^th when Ibrahim Saddam Juma’s through ball intended for Muhammed Shaban was poked out for a corner by right back Mohamed Eldmerdash.

The home side remained the better side for the better part of the second half with half chances created although the Egyptians remained water tight.

Ahmed  Hussein Ahmed Hafez replaced Walid Said Ebeid on the 66^th minute mark.

With twenty minutes left on the clock, KCCA went for an offensive strategy – holding midfielder Isaac Kirabira paved way for striker Derrick Paul Nsibambi.

Saddam Ibrahim Juma lit up the Namboole stands with a customary trade mark long range effort in the 73^rd minute after being up by Allan Okello.

Inside the final quarter of the game, Al Ahly skipper Hossam Ashour was taken out for Islam Mohareb.

Substitute Nsibambi had a diving header narrowly miss target off a telling cross from the by-line by the hard working winger Julius Poloto.

Al Ahly’s right back Mohamed Eldmerdash got cautioned by the day’s referee Victor Miguel  De Freitas Gomes.

With five minutes to the end of the game, KCCA called for the final change when Paul Mucureezi came on for Shaban Muhammed.

The visitors had one more chance to make amends but left back Sabry Abdelmontelb shot over the bar from an acute angle on the left wing.

South African FIFA Referee Gomes awarded KCCA  a penalty when lanky defender Amro Elsoulia brought down Nsibambi inside the goal area.

Captain Timothy Denis Awany converted from the resultant kick from the penalty spot two minutes from full time and seal the historic victory for the Ugandans who earn their first victory of the campaign following a heart breaking 1-0 loss away to the Botswana outfit, Township Rollers.

Al Ahly remains win-less in two matches having drawn at home goal-less with Tunisian side, Esperance.

Esperance hosts Township Rollers hours later on Tuesday.

Reactions:

Hossam El Badry – Al Ahly Head coach

We created chances in the first half but were not clinical. We still have chance from the remaining four games in the group

Mike Hillary Mutebi – KCCA Manager:

We exhibited very tactical discipline. As a coach am satisfied with the result on the day and the performance of the team players particularly the goalkeeper (Charles Lukwago) and Sadam Juma. There is still a lot to play for in the group.

Team Line Ups:

KCCA XI:

Charles Lukwago (G.K), Denis Okot Oola,  Mustafa Kizza, Habib Kavuma, Timothy Denis Awany (Captain), Isaac Kirabira (70’ Derrick Paul Nsibambi), Allan Okello, Ibrahim Saddam Juma, Jackson Nunda (47’ Lawrence Bukenya), Muhammed Shaban (85’ Paul Mucureezi), Julius Poloto

Subs Not Used:

Tom Ikara (G.K), Paul Mucureezi, Paul Musamali, Fillbert Obenchan, Solomon Okwalinga,

Al Ahly Sporting Club XI:

Mohamed El Shenawy (G.K), Mohamed Eldmerdash, Abdelmontelb, Samir Saad Ali, Naguib El Gharel Mohammed, Elsoulia, Hussein, Walid Said Ebeid (66’ Ahmed  Hussein Ahmed Hafez), Tharwat, Mahlambi, Hossam Alhour (Captain) – 75’ Islam Mohareb

Subs:

Sherif  Ekramy Ahmed (G.K),  Ahmed Fathi Abd El Monem , Basem Abdelnabi, Salah Mohsen Mohamed Shalabi

Match Officials:

• Center Referee: Victor Miguel De Freitas Gomes (South Africa)
• 1^st Assistant Referee:  Zakhele Thusi Siwela (South Africa)
• 2^nd Assistant Referee: Johannes Sello Moshidi (South Africa)
• Fourth Official: Victor Tinyiko Hlungwani (South Africa)
• Commissioner: Kidane Melles Terfe (Eritrea)
• General Coordinator: Alexander Sakyi Asante (Ghana)
• Media Officer: Collins Okinyo (Kenya)