Record Ethiopian champions Kidus Giorgis tackle Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA) in Kampala, Uganda. The teams settled for a barren draw in the first round, first leg of the Total CAF Champions League a week ago in Addis Ababa.
The Horsemen are on a quest for a second appearance in the group stages, but they need to pass the tough KCCA test. Ugandan side KCCA are also on high motivation as a positive outcome of the duel will make them the first club from the country to appear in the group stages of the lucrative CAF Champions League. Kidus Giorgis head trainer Carlos Manuel Vaz Pinto stated he expects a challenging match when they lock horns against KCCA.
“I think it is a very difficult game not for Kidus Giorgis alone but for KCCA too. I expect a tough duel on Saturday,” said the Portuguese head coach.
“I told my players in the first leg that our target in the home game was to win and not concede goals. It was important to us that we didn’t concede goals at home. Tomorrow we go out to fix things. It is always important for the club, country and fans to qualify for the next stage,” Vaz Pinto further noted.
KCCA head coach Mike Hillary Mutebi on his part told the Ugandan press that his side are braced for the crucial encounter.
“We actually know the players are very motivated and well prepared. They also believe it is their time. They believe they can do it. We have no injury worries except the ones that are known already. Sadam Juma is out of the game. The rest of the squad is healthy. We are playing against a team that uses the ball well. They believe they have the advantage because it was a scoreless draw (in the game in Addis Ababa). They immediately want to score an away goal. I am sure they are going to come with that attitude of attack.”
Kidus Giorgis managed to progress to the group stages in 2017 following a 3-0 aggregate win over Congolese side AC Leopards. KCCA were close to achieve the same feat in the last edition but lost to South African outfit Mamelodi Sundowns 3-2 on aggregate in the final hurdle. The last time the two sides met in Kampala was in 2002 CAF Cup, where the reigning Ethiopian Champions forced a goalless stalemate to knock KCCA out of the tournament 1-0 on aggregate.
The game between KCCA and Saint George kicks off at 4:00 in the afternoon at the 4000 spectator capacity venue of Star Times Stadium, formerly known as Philip Omondi Stadium. Omondi is regarded as one of Ugandans finest footballers ever.
