Kitara FC Eye CAF Progression, Al Ahly Clash as Mogadishu City Return to Hoima

Kitara FC will look to complete the job and book their place in the next round of the CAF Confederation Cup when they host Mogadishu City Club in the decisive second leg of their first preliminary round tie at Hoima City Stadium on Saturday, September 12, 2026.

The match kicks off at 4:00pm, with the Ugandan representatives holding a narrow 2-1 advantage from the first leg.

The Royals secured the advantage after coming from behind in the opening encounter. Mogadishu City took the lead in the 17th minute, before Kitara forward Jimmy Kalema turned the contest around with two goals in quick succession in the 33rd and 34th minutes.

Kalema's brace not only gave Kitara victory but also placed the club in a favourable position ahead of the return leg, although the one-goal margin means the tie remains firmly alive.

Kitara must avoid complacency

With the advantage in their hands, Kitara know that another disciplined performance could be enough to see them through to the second preliminary round.

However, head coach George William Lutalo has warned his players about the need for greater efficiency after the first leg, particularly after Kitara created several opportunities without converting them into a more comfortable victory.

The Royals will also be mindful of the danger posed by Mogadishu City after the Somali side demonstrated in the first leg that they can punish defensive lapses.

Kitara's task, therefore, will be to strike a balance between protecting their aggregate advantage and continuing to attack with purpose. A clean sheet would significantly strengthen their chances of progressing, while another victory would remove much of the pressure surrounding the tie.

Hoima support could make the difference

Saturday's encounter will once again take place at Hoima City Stadium, giving Kitara the opportunity to play in front of a passionate home crowd.

The stadium made history during the first leg by hosting continental club football for the first time, with thousands of supporters turning up for the occasion. The impressive response has raised expectations for another big crowd on Saturday.

Kitara president Deo Kasozi has urged supporters from Bunyoro and beyond to fill the stadium and provide the team with the backing needed to complete the mission.

Kitara FC President Deo Kasozi Akiiki 

Regular tickets are priced at Shs20,000 for ordinary entry and Shs50,000 for VIP. The club also ran an early-bird promotion offering discounted ordinary tickets to supporters who purchased them physically.

The club is targeting a strong turnout as it seeks to turn home support into an additional advantage.

Al Ahly awaits the winner

Beyond Saturday's contest lies an even bigger incentive. The winner of the two-legged tie will advance to the second preliminary round, where they will face Egyptian giants Al Ahly, one of Africa's most decorated and powerful clubs.

For Kitara, qualification would therefore open the door to one of the biggest continental fixtures in the club's history.

The prospect of facing Al Ahly gives the Royals additional motivation to finish the job against Mogadishu City. But before thinking about the Egyptian giants, Kitara must first negotiate what could be a tense 90 minutes against a side that needs to overturn the 2-1 deficit.

A historic opportunity for the Royals

Kitara are competing in the CAF Confederation Cup after winning the 2025/26 Uganda Cup, earning the right to represent Uganda on the continental stage.

Their current campaign represents another important step in the club's growing ambitions, particularly after their previous continental experience was complicated by the absence of a suitable CAF-approved home venue in Uganda. This time, Hoima City Stadium has provided Kitara with a stage to compete in continental football in front of their own supporters.

The Royals now stand 90 minutes away from another significant milestone.

A victory, draw or any result that preserves their aggregate advantage will send Kitara into the next round.

But Mogadishu City know that a 2-1 victory would bring the tie level, meaning Kitara cannot afford to sit back or lose concentration.

With a place against Al Ahly at stake, Saturday's contest promises to be one of the biggest nights yet for Kitara FC.

Kick-off: 4:00pm

Venue: Hoima City Stadium

CAF Confederation Cup – First Preliminary Round, Second Leg Kitara FC 2-1 Mogadishu City Club (first leg)

Ordinary: Shs20,000 | VIP: Shs50,000