Al Ahly secure comfortable away win over Kitara FC in Confederation Cup
Al Ahly secured a comfortable 2-1 away win over Uganda’s Kitara FC in the first leg of the second preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup on Saturday.
Head coach Hussein Ammouta named Hussein El-Shahat, Mohamed Magdi Afsha and Taher Mohamed Taher in his attacking line, with several regular starters beginning the match on the bench.
The Red Eagles dominated possession and created several chances from the outset, but Kitara’s compact defence frustrated the visitors in the opening stages.
El-Shahat came close to opening the scoring early on when he received the ball inside the area, but his shot sailed over the crossbar.
Afsha also threatened with a powerful effort from close range, but Kitara’s defence denied him.
Despite Al Ahly’s early pressure, the hosts took the lead in the 31st minute. Forward Wahab found space inside the area to meet a cross from the left and put Kitara ahead.
Al Ahly continued to push for an equaliser, but the hosts remained organised at the back and worked to contain the visitors’ attacking threat.
Ammouta made a triple substitution in the 62nd minute, bringing on Ahmed Sayed Zizo, Soufiane Benjdida and Tawfik Mohamed for El-Shahat, Afsha and Karim Fouad in an effort to strengthen the attack.
The changes paid off five minutes later when Al Ahly drew level. El Saaiy delivered a cross into the area before moving into position to collect the rebound.
After controlling the ball at close range, he fired home to make it 1-1. Al Ahly completed the turnaround eight minutes before full time when Akram Tawfik drove into the penalty area and was brought down by Kitara defender Juuko.
The referee awarded a penalty, and Zizo stepped up to send the ball into the far corner and give the visitors the lead.
Ammouta made two further changes late in the game, introducing Achraf Bencharki for Taher Mohamed Taher in the 86th minute and Mohamed Hany for El Saaiy in the 90th, as Al Ahly sought to preserve their advantage.
Kitara continued to defend deep and resist Al Ahly’s attacking pressure, but the Egyptian side held on for a 2-1 victory to take an advantage into the second leg, which is scheduled for 25 October at Cairo International Stadium.
