CAF Champions League 2018
Al Ahly 4-3 KCCA FC
Borg El Arab Stadium, Alexandria
Tuesday, 28-08-2018
Alexandria – KCCA FC bowed out of the CAF Champions league with their heads held high after losing 4-3 away to Al Ahly in their last group game.
The Kasasiro Boys who went into the game having already been eliminated saw the trio of Jackson Nunda, Peter Magambo and Allan Okello all on the score sheet in the thrilling encounter.
However it was not to be all three points for them as the record African champions Al Ahly scored a goal more with Walid Azarou (2), Souleymane Coulibaly and Morwen Mohsen all breaching Tom Ikara in-between the Kasasiro Boys’ sticks.
How the drama unfolded:
Walid Azarou put the hosts in the lead after 23 minutes much to the delight of tens of thousands of home fans who had turned up at the famous Borg El Arab stadium.
Mike Mutebi’s charges who looked to be relishing playing at the famous stadium immediately equalised as Jackson Nunda headed in a Mustapha Kizza cross.
Despite several decent half chances, the rest of the half saw no more goals as both teams want into the break locked at 1-1.
Earlier, Mike Mutebi had made an early change taking off the unconvicing Gift Ali for Lawrence Bukenya, a move that stabilised the midfield.
The second half started in disaster for Mutebi’s men as Souleymane Coulibaly restored Al Ahly’s on 50 minutes.
However, the Red Devils’ joy was short lived as Peter Magambo who was making his first continental appearance restored purity for the away side four minutes later off another Kizza delivery.
The breath-taking second half drama continued in the 63rd minutes as Patrice Carteron’s charges scored again through Azarou.
Seven minutes later, Morwen Mohsen scored a fourth to put the game beyond KCCA.
Sensing danger, Mutebi took off Ibrahim Sadam Juma for Muzamir Mutyaba and centre forward Patrick Kaddu was also replaced by defensive minded Isaac Kirabira in an attempt to limit the damage.
Eight minutes from time, Allan Okello cut the deficit to one with a well taken goal but any efforts to get a point were denied as the hosts held on to win 4-3 and confirm top spot in group A.
Elsewhere in the group, Ivan Ntege’s Township Rollers held visitors Esperance of Tunisia to a goalless draw in Botswana.
Al Ahly top the group with 13 points, Esperance (11), KCCA (6) while Rollers (4) sit at the bottom.
