Kitara FC enter Saturday’s CAF Confederation Cup return leg against Mogadishu City with an advantage, but Gaddafi Wahab insists nothing is settled.
The Royals carry a 2-1 aggregate lead into Hoima City Stadium after recovering from behind during last Sunday’s opening encounter.
Jimmy Kalema scored twice within two minutes after Akram Ilyaas had given Mogadishu City an early lead during an eventful first half.
That victory places Kitara within touching distance of the next preliminary round, although their players are refusing to approach Saturday defensively.
“We have another 90 minutes to fight for, so we started preparing immediately after the first game,” Wahab said.
“We know we have the advantage, but we are not going to sit back because we want to attack and win comfortably.”
That attacking intention matches Wasswa Bossa’s preparations, with Kitara spending considerable time improving their efficiency after wasting several opportunities last weekend.
Bossa believes his team’s chance creation has steadily improved since preseason, although converting those opportunities remains an important area requiring further work.
“We have been correcting our mistakes, especially because we missed many chances and did not use them well,” Bossa said.
“This time, we are trying to improve our finishing while also making sure we defend properly and prevent them from scoring again.”
Kitara’s first-leg experience demonstrated why Bossa remains cautious despite holding the advantage, particularly after Mogadishu punished them during an uncertain opening period.
However, Kalema’s quick response turned the contest around, ensuring Kitara entered the return fixture controlling the tie rather than chasing it.
The Royals have also received an important personnel boost after Murushid Juuko became available following his absence from last weekend’s opening encounter.
Juuko was among four Kitara players cleared after missing the first leg, alongside Nicholas Kasozi, Martin Kizza and Jonah Byamukama.
The experienced defender believes Kitara’s first-leg victory demonstrated their growing continental maturity, particularly after overcoming an early setback against the Somali champions.
“I was already preparing for both games, although I did not play in the first match,” Juuko said.
“I am happy that I can now be involved because winning at continental level is never easy, regardless of the opposition.”
For Juuko, Kitara’s continental presence carries additional significance because of the club’s rapid growth and its increasingly strong connection with the Bunyoro region.
“It is something big considering where the club comes from and the number of years it has existed,” Juuko said.
“It is also a big moment for Hoima because people here can now witness continental football within their own region.”
That connection could again become important after supporters pushed Kitara through difficult periods during the opening encounter at Hoima City Stadium.
Wahab remembers the response from the stands after Mogadishu took the lead and wants another strong atmosphere during Saturday’s decisive second leg.
“When we went one goal down, the supporters kept pushing us whenever we got the ball,” Wahab said.
“We started this together in the first game, and I am calling upon them to return so we can finish together.”
Kitara will again operate without Bossa directly on the technical bench under the latest clearance update, although several assistants have since received approval.
George William Lutalo, Andy Lule and Hassan Mubiru are cleared, providing considerably more technical support than Kitara possessed during last weekend’s administrative disruption.
For Bossa, however, the bigger concern remains what happens on the pitch once Kitara attempt turning their narrow advantage into qualification.
He wants a team capable of entertaining supporters while maintaining the attacking mentality which has increasingly defined Kitara’s football this season.
“The players we have can fit into every playing style, which allows us to focus on entertaining football,” Bossa said.
Saturday represents something greater than protecting a single-goal advantage accumulated during their opening ninety minutes against Mogadishu City.
The first half of the assignment produced the advantage, but Wahab’s message captures their approach towards the remaining ninety minutes. The job, as Kitara repeatedly insist, is not finished yet.