- Result: Al Hilal Benghazi 3-2 Kitara [Agg: 6-4]
Kitara maiden continental appearance ended at the first preliminary round following a 3-2 loss to Al Hilal Benghazi of Libya.
With the reverse fixture ending with a similar score line, Kitara bows out 6-4 on aggregate with the Libyans now waiting to face Egypt’s Al Masry in the second preliminary round.
Mohamed Salim scored in the first half and Hemeya Tanjy scored a second-half brace for the hosts at the Martyrs of Benina stadium in Benghazi with substitute Titus Ssematimba and Denis Omedi scoring for the Ugandan side.
Despite naming an attack-minded side with four forwards in Denis Omedi, Jude Ssemugabi, Brian Aheebwa and George Ssenkaaba, it was the Libyan side that dominated attacks with goalkeeper Farouk Yawe standing tall with over six fine saves to deny the hosts.
Salim opened the scores in the 40th minute off a rebound after Yawe made a save but Tito made amends with an exquisite strike in the 57th minute a few minutes after replacing David Ndihabwe.
Tany restored the hosts’ lead two minutes later and extended the lead in the 75th minute with a header from close range but Kitara never gave up as Omedi put the tie in sight for the Royals with a goal in the 81st minute off Kabon Living’s corner.
In the end, the Libyans who were dominant but wasteful held on for a deserved win leaving Kitara to concentrate on the domestic season that kicks off in September.
Kitara line up: Yawe (GK), Owachigiu, Kiggundu, Otti, Ndihabwe, Muber,Okwalinga, Ssenkaaba, Ssemugabi, Omedi, Aheebwa
Subs used: Tito, Amaku, Kabon, Jasper, Aheebwa
