Kitara, Vipers face crucial CAF assignments

Kitara FC owe their supporters a better performance on the pitch and improved organisation off it when they face Somalia's Mogadishu City Club in the decisive CAF Confederation Cup First Preliminary Round return leg tomorrow at Hoima City Stadium.

Kitara hold a 2-1 advantage from the first leg played at the same venue six days ago, but their unconvincing display left the 15,000 fans who filled the stadium demanding more from their team.

Their problems were not limited to the pitch. The first leg was delayed by about 40 minutes after several members of Kitara's technical staff, including head coach George Lutalo and Wasswa Bbosa, were not included in the CAF system for the match day.

The omission meant Kitara initially had no authorised technical official to sit on the bench, forcing the kick-off to be delayed as the issue was addressed.

The off-field confusion added to concerns over Kitara's preparedness for a competition in which organisation and attention to detail are just as important as what happens on the pitch.

Mogadishu impressed with their build-up play, movement and ability to move the ball around, but costly defensive errors from goalkeeper Arias Kokou gifted Kitara both goals, which were scored by Jimmy Kalema. Poor finishing also denied the Somali side opportunities to punish Kitara.

Vipers in action

Kitara, meanwhile, were expected to dominate after effectively enjoying home advantage despite being listed as the away side. Mogadishu opted to play the tie in Hoima because of domestic challenges in Somalia, handing Kitara an advantage they would not have enjoyed had the game been played in Mogadishu.

Some Kitara fans celebrated the victory but were not impressed by the performance of their team. "I feel good that we have won but that team from Somalia scared me. Our players wasted so many chances. I hope they will score more goals on Saturday," Rebecca Ateenyi said.

Chris Mugisa was particularly frustrated by missed chances from Living Kabon and Gaddafi Wahab and called on coach Wasswa Bbosa to make changes.

CAF Confederation Cup

First Preliminary Round

Second Leg

Tomorrow, 4pm

At Hoima City Stadium

Kitara v Mogadishu

Agg (Kitara 2-1 Mogadishu)

Fees: Ordinary- sh20,000 and VIP-sh50,000

CAF Champions League

First preliminary Round

Second Leg

Sunday, 8pm

FC Nouadhibou v Vipers

(Nouakchott, Mauritania)

Bbosa admitted his team did not perform well despite being pleased with the comeback victory.

"It is true we had so many chances in the first game which we did not convert. We also had weaknesses in defence, but all those mistakes have been worked on," Bbosa said.

Mogadishu coach John Kamau, however, remains confident his side can overturn the deficit.

"The tie is still open. We did not play poorly in the first leg, and that gives me confidence that we can overturn the result," Kamau said.

Kitara need only a draw to progress, while Mogadishu must win by at least two goals. Kitara would progress with a 2-2 draw or any higher-scoring draw.

The aggregate winner will face Egyptian giants Al Ahly in the second preliminary round, with the winner over the two legs advancing to the group stage.

Vipers face uphill task

Meanwhile, Uganda Premier League champions Vipers face a difficult task in their CAF Champions League campaign when they take on FC Nouadhibou in Nouakchott, Mauritania on Sunday.

The Venoms must win to advance after a 1-1 draw in the first leg at St Mary's Stadium, Kitende, last week.

The result handed Nouadhibou a valuable away goal and put the Mauritanian side in a strong position. They will progress with a goalless draw, leaving Vipers needing a victory or a draw of 2-2 or higher to advance.

Nouadhibou's confident and determined display at Kitende, which frustrated Vipers for long periods, makes the task even tougher for the visiting Venoms.