Confederations Cup: KCCA beat FUS Rabat 3-1

Jul 02, 2017

KCCA FC brush aside a visiting FUS Rabat side to climb to second after Club Africain go on the beat Rivers United.

(Photo credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

CAF CONFEDERATIONS CUP


Group A: Sunday's Game 5 results

KCCA 3  FUS Rabat  1

Rivers Utd 0  Club Africain 2


KAMPALA - KCCA FC brightened their chances of making it past the group stage of the CAF Confederations Cup with an enthralling performance in a 3-1 victory over FUS Rabat in Kampala.

The home fans inside the compact Star Times Stadium (formerly Phillip Omondi Stadium) were treated to a four-goal fest in a crucial tie, with one group stage game left for both sides.

Coming into Sunday's game, all the Group A sides were leveled on six points, but with KCCA rock-bottom because of a lowly goal difference. But tables swiftly turned, literally at that, when on-form striker Geoffrey Sserunkuuma tucked in beautifully from the spot to give Mike Mutebi's side the lead five minutes before the break.

Left-back Yassir Jarici was immediately yellow-carded for bundling Poloto Julius in the box in the lead-up to the penalty.

At that time, the lead meant that KCCA had climbed to the summit of the table, with Rivers United FC and Club Africain scheduled to play later in the day.

But the Azam Uganda Premier League and Uganda Cup 2016/17 champions eventually had to settle for second place, again due to an inferior goal difference, after Tunisian side Club Africain went on to beat Rivers of Nigeria 2-0 in the later game.

Sunday's results mean that KCCA and Club Africain each have nine points while Rabat and Rivers remain on six points.

In their game, KCCA returned after the interval to inflict more misery on the Moroccans when ex-Express FC striker Saddam Juma, on his debut at his new club, struck to double the home side's advantage.

Yet there was more on offer. Facing an empty goal, defender Isaac Muleme was gifted with an easy task of making it goal number three for the Kasasiro Boys a little over the hour mark.

With victory virtually secured, KCCA, who were ejected from the more lucrative CAF Champions League by defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns in March, were keen to keep their latest vistors at bay.

But a vintage scoreline was stained when Lamine Diakite pulled one back for Rabat late on albeit it was a little too late for any meaningful comeback.

It was a reverse of fortunes after the Moroccan side failed to replicate what they did in their opening game in Rabat back in mid-May. They beat KCCA 3-0 in that fixture but this time, it was a whole different affair at the Star Times Stadium, which Mutebi and co have been certain to transform into a sort of fortress, both domestically and on the continental front.

It's been three wins in three home games in the African club competition for KCCA, whose last group game is an away date with Club Africain next weekend.

The top two teams of every group advance to the next stage, and with KCCA in second ahead of game six, there is every reason to relish yet another important home victory.

 

(The action in pictures as captured by Mpalanyi Ssentongo):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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