KCCA FC and Petro de Luanda played out a goalless stalemate in the first leg of the first round preliminary match played at Estadio 11 de Novembro in Angola.
The hosts Petro de Luanda looked the better side from the onset and lingered on their home advantage and comfort on the natural surface to play their free-flowing kind of football.
On the other hand, KCCA FC was on the back foot for the opening 20 minutes but responded well to questions answered by hosts Petro de Luanda. The Uganda Champions later acclimatized as the game grew and enjoyed the final spells of the opening stanza playing their usual pass and move football.
Gift Ali had the game’s first moment of offensive promise blocked by Petro’s Hermenegildo Sengui for a corner kick in the 8th minute.
Kizza Mustafa whipped in a rocket of a free-kick but Petro’s custodian Delgado acrobatically kept it out of danger.
On the other end of the pitch, Charles Lukwago was called into action to deny Richard Job from finding the back of the net in the 22nd minute.
Peter Magambo twice denied the hosts from scoring in the 24th and 17th minute from point-blank range. The lanky center half’s composure was the answer to the host’s relentless attacks in the opening stanza.
Teenager Anaku smartly won possession in the hosts’ box, beat his marker Sengui but his shot flew inches wide from goal.
Samuel Kato was caught flat-footed by Eddie Alfonso but the big center half quickly made amends and cleared his lines to avoid danger.
By the time the referee blew the half time whistle, it was parity at Estadio 11 de Novembro.
Two minutes after the restart, Kizza’s beautiful cross from the left flank met Okello in the box who headed home but to his disbelief referee, Tadesse denied it claiming he was offside.
At the hour mark, Kizza whipped in another free-kick but Petro’s keeper was equal to the task.
Kato seemed to have been badly hurt after a bad landing but the big center half returned to the field of play to soldier on.
Petro de Luanda made three quick changes to try to salvage something positive out of the game.
Tangu Gastao, Daniel Satonho, and Capemba Joao replaced Isaac Mensah, Augusto Antonio, and Jorge Mendes.
KCCA FC’s Gaffer Mike Mutebi made a change. Nunda Jackson replacing Mike Mutyaba.
Charles Lukwago made two astonishing saves that could have changed the game’s result. The gangly shot-stopper denied Sengui and Daniel Satonho in the 83rd and 86th-minute respectively.
Goalless at full time. KCCA FC picking a decent result away from home.
KCCA FC will host Atletico Petroleos de Luanda in the second leg on Friday 27th September.
The winner on aggregate over two legs will then qualify for the group stages of the CFA Champions League while the loser will play another qualifier game in the CAF Confederations Cup.
Petro de Luanda – Line Up
Elber (GK), Wilson, Musah, Carneiro, Eddie, Alem, Manguxi, Job, Karanga, Mensah, Picas
KCCA FC – Line Up
Lukwago (c) (GK), Obenchan, Kizza, Kato, Magambo, Gift, Muzamiru, Achai, Okello, Mike Mutyaba (Nunda), Anaku (Serunkuma)
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