Kitara bank on home support to tame Al Ahly in CAF Confederation Cup

CAF Confederation Cup

Second Preliminary Round

First Leg

Saturday, 4pm

Kitara v Al Ahly

Entry Fees

Ordinary: sh20,000

VIP: sh100,000

Kitara FC need their fans to turn Hoima City Stadium into a sea of support on Saturday when the Royals host Egyptian giants Al Ahly in a historic CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary round first leg encounter.

Playing at this stage of the competition for the first time, Kitara face one of Africa’s most successful clubs in continental competitions.

While tactics and performance on the pitch will be crucial for Kitara, they will also need the energy and encouragement of their supporters to compete against the experienced Egyptians.

The Royals were eliminated in the first preliminary round during their continental debut in 2024 by Libyan side Al Hilal Benghazi after playing both games away in Libya.

They now have an opportunity to make a statement, but will need a strong home performance to keep the tie alive ahead of the return leg in Cairo.

Kitara have already demonstrated their ability to attract large crowds. During the first preliminary round first leg against Somalia’s Mogadishu City Club last month, more than 18,000 fans filled Hoima City Stadium, providing the backing that inspired the team to a 4-1 aggregate victory.

With the stadium having a capacity of 20,000, the club believes its supporters can once again turn out in large numbers and provide the atmosphere needed to challenge Al Ahly.

The Egyptians are accustomed to playing before huge crowds in their domestic league, but Kitara believes home support can still make a difference.

The Saturday fixture also offers an opportunity for fans from Hoima City, Masindi Municipality and other parts of the country to rally behind the team without the usual weekday work commitments.

The region’s football enthusiasm was evident when the Uganda Cranes hosted Libya in the 2027 AFCON Pamoja qualifiers at Hoima City Stadium last month.

Local supporters joined fans from Kampala and elsewhere to back the national team to a 1-0 victory.

Kitara coach Wasswa Bbosa has urged supporters to replicate that commitment.

“We call upon our fans to come in big numbers, let us fill the stadium. It is true we are facing a tough opponent but we can defeat them together. We need you more than before this Saturday,” pleaded Bbosa.

The club has also introduced physical tickets to make access easier for supporters who have experienced difficulties purchasing them online. The tickets are available at the club’s head offices in Hoima City.

Al Ahly arrived in Uganda today and travelled to Hoima via the Kampala-Gulu Highway and connect to Masindi through which they will enter Hoima City because sections of the shorter Kampala-Hoima Road are undergoing construction.

The visitors could also bring their own supporters. Al Ahly boasts a huge fanbase in Egypt, regularly filling the 75,000-capacity Cairo International Stadium and creating an intimidating atmosphere.

Kitara must prepare for a similarly demanding atmosphere in the return leg, but Saturday offers the Royals a chance to make home advantage count.

Ugandan football also offers a reminder that Al Ahly can be beaten. In 2018, COACH Mike Mutebi’s KCCA FC defeated the Egyptians 2-0 at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, during the CAF Champions League group stage, with Sadam Juma and Timothy Awany scoring for the Kasasiro Boys.