Kitara head coach Wasswa Bossa has placed improved finishing at the heart of preparations for Sunday’s CAF Confederation Cup clash against Mogadishu City Club.
The Royals face the Somali side at Hoima City Stadium in the first preliminary round, determined to begin their continental campaign positively.
Bossa believes Kitara have created enough opportunities in recent matches, but converting those chances remains an area requiring considerable improvement before Sunday.
The experienced tactician revealed that much of their latest training work has concentrated on decision-making and execution inside the attacking third.
“We assessed our team, and our players are focused on this match because, in our first league match, we missed many chances,” Bossa said.
“You met us concentrating on the final third, using our chances and winning the match, because that is very important for us.
“I think all the players are focused on producing a great performance on Sunday for us to proceed to the next stage.”
That responsibility will fall heavily on Kitara’s attacking players, with Patrick Kaddu and George Ssenkaaba among those expected to provide the required cutting edge.
Bossa can also turn to experienced striker Karim Ndugwa, while Martin Kizza provides another attacking threat from wider areas.
With Kitara creating opportunities but struggling to convert enough of them, Bossa will need those options to become more clinical against Mogadishu City.
That emphasis reflects Kitara’s desire to avoid allowing promising attacking situations to go unrewarded against opponents Bossa believes deserve considerable respect.
Mogadishu City arrive for the contest without the profile associated with some established continental sides, but Bossa has dismissed suggestions they are inferior opposition.
He insists Kitara cannot afford to approach the encounter believing their home surroundings automatically guarantee victory against the Somali representatives.
“First of all, we are going to play against a team from Mogadishu, and most people undermine that team,” Bossa explained.
“But it is a good team, and we know we have to prepare properly and perform well if we want to win.”
While Bossa remains cautious about the opposition, Kitara will enjoy surroundings that provide them with an important advantage throughout the preliminary-round encounter.
Hoima City Stadium has become their home, while the expected backing from supporters gives the Royals another weapon heading into Sunday’s contest.
“The advantage we have is that this is our stadium, this is our home, and we have our fans,” Bossa said.
“I think that is an added advantage because they motivate us and can push us to make sure we win the match.”
Kitara can also call upon several experienced players who have competed for different clubs and represented Uganda at various international levels.
Bossa believes combining that experience could prove particularly important when dealing with the different demands and pressures associated with continental football.
“We have experienced players who have played for different teams and the national team, and we want to combine that experience,” he said.
“We have to use their experience at continental level properly because ultimately our target is to make sure we win this match.”
For Kitara, Sunday presents an opportunity to turn their preparation into results while making Hoima City Stadium count as an advantage.