Kitara FC will face one of the biggest challenges in the club's history when they take on Al Ahly in the second leg of their CAF Confederation Cup Round of 32 tie at Cairo International Stadium on Sunday, October 25, 2026. The Royals must overturn a 1-2 first-leg defeat to keep their continental ambitions alive and secure a place in the group stage for the first time in the club's history. The task is demanding, with Kitara needing a victory and enough goals to turn the tie around against one of Africa's most decorated football clubs.
Kitara head into the return leg encouraged by their preparations in Egypt, with head coach Wasswa Bbosa reporting positive signs from the squad ahead of the encounter. The coach said the players had adapted well to the trip and were motivated to fight for qualification. Bbosa's comments underline Kitara's determination to challenge the Egyptian side despite the setback suffered in the first leg at Hoima City Stadium. For the Ugandan representatives, Sunday's match presents an opportunity to demonstrate their competitiveness on the continental stage and move closer to achieving a historic milestone.
Kitara started the first leg brightly in Hoima, taking the lead through Gaddafi Wahab in the 30th minute. Wahab finished from close range after a delivery from Martin Kizza, rewarding the hosts for their efforts and sending the home supporters into celebration. Kitara held on to their advantage until half-time, raising hopes of securing a positive result against the Egyptian visitors. However, Al Ahly responded strongly after the interval, with Omar El Saiy and Ahmed Moustafa Zizou finding the net to hand the visitors a 2-1 victory.
Striker Kaddu Patrick is expected to be an important figure in Kitara's attacking plans, particularly because of his familiarity with the Cairo International Stadium. Kaddu has previously played at the venue with the Uganda Cranes and during his time with Egyptian club Ismaily SC, experience that could prove valuable in a high-pressure continental fixture. The forward insists, however, that his previous appearances in Cairo will count for little unless the entire team delivers a strong performance on Sunday.
Another player Kitara will look to for inspiration is Jimmy Kalema, the club's leading scorer in the competition with three goals. Kalema's ability to find the net could be crucial as the Royals attempt to overturn the first-leg deficit and keep their qualification hopes alive. The forward was substituted in the second half of the opening encounter, but Bbosa will be looking for a strong contribution from him in the return leg.
Kitara travel into the decisive encounter with most of their squad available for selection. Only Nicholas Kasozi and Karim Ndugwa are unavailable, leaving Bbosa with a largely fit squad from which to choose his team. The availability of the remaining players provides the coach with flexibility as he considers the tactical approach needed to overcome the Egyptian side.
For Kitara, Sunday's encounter is about more than simply recovering from a first-leg defeat. Qualification would mark a significant achievement for a club seeking to establish itself among Uganda's competitive representatives in African football. The Royals earned their place in the Round of 32 after progressing past Somalia's Mogadishu City Club, winning the tie 4-1 on aggregate.
Key points
- Kitara FC must overturn a 1-2 first-leg deficit against Al Ahly to secure a place in the group stage.
- The match will be played at Cairo International Stadium on Sunday, October 25, 2026.
- Head coach Wasswa Bbosa remains optimistic about his team's chances of producing a memorable performance away from home.
