Goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa is backing Kitara’s togetherness ahead of Saturday’s CAF Confederation Cup meeting with Al Ahly at Hoima City Stadium.
The Royals host the Egyptian giants in the second preliminary round’s first leg, seeking to extend their continental campaign.
Mutakubwa acknowledges Al Ahly’s stature but believes Kitara’s preparation and collective effort give them reason to approach the contest confidently.
“Al Ahly are a big team on the continent, but it will be the 90 minutes that decide,” he said.
The visitors boast a record 12 CAF Champions League titles, alongside one Confederation Cup, four African Cup Winners’ Cups and eight CAF Super Cups.
Their domestic honours include 45 Egyptian league championships, 39 Egyptian Cups and 16 Egyptian Super Cups, illustrating the challenge awaiting Kitara.
Kitara’s trophy collection is considerably smaller, but their recent achievements demonstrate the progress that has brought them to this encounter.
The Royals won the Fufa Big League in 2023 before lifting their first Uganda Cup after beating NEC 1–0 in 2024.
They added a second Uganda Cup in May this year, defeating SC Villa 2–1 in the final at Njeru.
Their latest continental campaign began with a 4–1 aggregate victory over Somalia’s Mogadishu City, setting up this meeting with Al Ahly.
Jimmy Kalema scored three goals across the two legs, while Frank Tumwesigye also scored in the 2–0 return-leg victory in Hoima.
Al Ahly received a bye through the opening preliminary round and now begin their campaign against the Ugandan cup holders.
For Mutakubwa, the time spent building understanding within Kitara’s squad offers an important foundation for confronting their more decorated opponents.
“Given the time we have been together, the boys are working together as a team,” the goalkeeper said.
“We know that once we are together, we can overcome any big task ahead of us,” he added.
Mutakubwa says the players appreciate the significance of Saturday’s fixture and are in good condition as preparations continue.
“We are prepared, we know what is at stake in this game, and everyone is in good shape for the game.”
That readiness must translate into a disciplined performance, with Kitara needing to sustain their concentration against opponents carrying extensive continental experience.
Beyond the dressing room, Mutakubwa wants supporters to reinforce the players’ belief by turning out in numbers at Hoima City Stadium.
He appealed to fans within Hoima and beyond, urging them to approach the occasion with confidence in their team.
“I call upon every Kitara fan, within Hoima and beyond, to come and support the boys because we need their support.”
Kitara cannot match Al Ahly’s history”, but on Saturday, Mutakubwa is asking his teammates and their supporters to believe they can compete with the team in front of them.