Al Ahly overturned a one-goal deficit against Uganda’s Kitara FC to secure a precious 2-1 victory in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup round of 32, taking a significant step toward group stage qualification while snapping a historic away curse.
The victory marks Al Ahly’s first win on Ugandan soil since 1988, when they defeated Express FC 3-2 in the African Cup of Champions Clubs with goals from Ayman Shawky, Hamada El Masry, and Ibrahim Hassan.
Head coach Lhoucine Ammouta’s side started the match on the front foot, as Monsef Bakrar saw his fifth-minute header rattle the crossbar before Omar El Said missed a close-range opportunity. However, Kitara punished the visitors by taking the lead in the 31st minute.
The Ugandan side’s goal came courtesy of Gadafi Wahab, who met a cross from the left flank with a clinical first-time volley into Mohamed El Shenawy’s net, sending the hosts into halftime with the lead despite Al Ahly creating the better chances.
Ammouta intervened in the 64th minute by bringing on Ahmed Sayed Zizo, Soufiane Benjdida, and Tawfik Mohamed. Just two minutes later, Omar El Said struck the equalizer to pull Al Ahly back into the contest.
The comeback was completed in the 82nd minute when Al Ahly were awarded a penalty, which Zizo coolly converted to net the winning goal and hand his team a vital advantage, before the Red Devils held firm until the final whistle.
Al Ahly will host Kitara in the return leg on Sunday, October 25, at Cairo International Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 PM Cairo time and Al Ahly TV holding exclusive broadcasting rights for the clash.
Ahead of the second leg, Al Ahly face El Qanah on Wednesday, October 21, at 8:00 PM in the Egyptian Premier League, before taking on Kitara on October 25 and traveling to face Modern Sport on Thursday, October 29, at 5:00 PM—a congested schedule that forces Ammouta to carefully manage squad rotation between domestic ambitions and continental dreams.
