# Al Ahly defend a 2-1 lead against a Kitara side still disputing the first-leg penalty

Zizo's late penalty won the first leg in Hoima, and Kitara's vice-president says it should not have been given. Al Ahly come in after a 3-3 draw with Canal and with seven players missing.

Preview · CAF Confederation Cup
Editorial board · 24 October 2026

- Al Ahly v Kitara
- Kick-off: 2026-10-25 16:00 UTC
- Ground: Cairo International Stadium
- Status: Full time
- Score: Al Ahly 4 – 0 Kitara

Al Ahly take a 2-1 lead into Sunday's second leg of their CAF Confederation Cup tie. They are in Africa's second club competition after finishing third in the league last season, and the first leg in Hoima was harder than expected: Gadafi Wahab put Kitara ahead after 31 minutes before Omar El-Saaiy equalised and Zizo scored the winner from the penalty spot eight minutes from time.

Kitara have not let that penalty go. Their vice-president, Bernard Kanyuru, disputes it and an offside decision, and the club's president has said Al Ahly are not as strong as they were. Kitara are in only their second Confederation Cup campaign; the first, in 2024, ended in the first preliminary round.

Hussein Ammouta has seven players missing. Mostafa Shobeir is away for his wedding, Yasser Ibrahim's ankle has flared up again and Ahmed Nabil Koka is not fully fit after a hamstring strain, while Karim El Debes, Mahmoud Salah, Amr El Gazzar and Aktay Abdullah are also out.

Al Ahly come in after a 3-3 draw with Canal on Tuesday that left them four points behind Pyramids at the top of the league, a week after beating Zamalek 2-0 in the derby.

## Our call

Al Ahly are expected to win in a game of three goals or more, with one side kept out.

## Coming in

Al Ahly are second in the Egyptian league, four points behind Pyramids, after a 3-3 draw with Canal on Tuesday; before that they won the derby 2-0 against Zamalek. Kitara are ninth in Uganda and won two league matches before the first leg.

## Between them

The sides met for the first time a week ago in Hoima, where Gadafi Wahab gave Kitara the lead before Omar El-Saaiy and Zizo, from the penalty spot, turned it round.

## The hinge

If Ammouta rests players with the league race in mind, a draw becomes likelier.

## Missing

Al Ahly are without Shobeir, away for his wedding, and Koka, El Debes, Mahmoud Salah, El Gazzar, Yasser Ibrahim and Aktay Abdullah. Kitara have reported no injuries and travelled with 24 players.