Ugandan side Kampala City Council Authority defeated Kidus Giorgis 1-0 to progress to the group stages of the Total CAF Champions League for the first time in their history. A second half strike from Muhammad Shaban guided KCCA to the group stages while Kidus Giorgis are eliminated from the prestigious African club competition.
Kidus Giorgis made only one change to the team that faced KCCA a week ago in Addis Ababa. Head coach Carlos Manuel Vaz Pinto gave the nod to Behailu Assefa while dropping Gadissa Mebrate to the bench. Malian striker Amara Malle led the attack alongside Abubakher Sanni and Behailu. KCCA on the other hand brought on influential striker Muhammad Shaban and Denis Okot as they made two changes.
In the game played at Star Times Stadium the hosts dominated the proceeding from the onset and were superior in ball control. KCCA tested Kidus Giorgis through efforts from Allan Okello, Mutyaba, Derrick Nsibambi and Shaban while the visitors tried their lack as Malian striker Amara Malle shots wide for Kidus Giorgis’s first attempt on goal. Kidus Giorgis should have gone infront at the brink of half time when they spurred a glorious counter attack opportunity.
Following the recess, the Ugandan international Shaban headed home as he beats his countrymen Robert Odongkara to send the crowd at Star Times Stadium into frenzy. Mustapha Kiiza’s perfect delivery was headed in by the unmarked Shaban. The visitors shambolic defending of set pieces cost them at last. Kidus Giorgis pushed to get the important equalizer and were the dominant side for much of the second interval. KCCA custodian Charles Lukwago pulled off some fine save to deny the Ethiopian side from scoring. Abebaw Butako’s goal bound shot in the 56th minute but his effort was parried away by Lukwago.
Kidus Giorgis are demoted to the CAF Confederations Cup. They last appeared in the second tier CAF club competition in 2013 after beating Egyptian side ENPPI in away goal rule. The draw for the second round of the Confederations Cup will be held at the headquarters of CAF in Cairo on the coming Wednesday.
The Kassiro Boys have become the first Ugandan side since 1997 to advance to the group stages of the Champions League. Apart from KCCA Swazi side Mbabane Swallows, D.R. Congolese giants TP Mazembe, 8 times African champions Al Ahly and Botswana side Township Rollers grabbed places in the group stages.
Match Reactions:
Carlos Manuel Vaz Pinto, Kidus Giorgis Head Coach
“We were better team than KCCA. We have got the better opportunities but we didn’t score. KCCA used their chance.”
Mike Hillary Mutebi, KCCA Head Coach
“It is a very good performance. In the last 15 minutes, we had to suffer. We had to be beasts but in an organized manner. This is turning point for KCCA because if you going to be a big club, you need wins like these.”
Photo Courtesy of Amina Bariye and KCCA FC Twitter Handle
