KCCA FC and St George played out a goalless stalemate in the CAF Champions League game played at Addis Ababa Stadium.
KCCA FC had a flying start with rapid counter attacks orchestrated from the midfield that troubled the hosts’ defense. Paul Mucureezi coming closest with a one on one chance that he shot straight to hosts’ custodian Robert Odongkara in 6th minjute.
Moments later the midfielder was brought down on the edge of the 18, and Mustafa Kizza stood to take the freekick but missed by a whisker.
Derrick Nsibambi then won the ball in the midfield, exchanged with Mutyaba Muzamir but the latter shot inches wide in the 22nd minute.
At half an hour played, Mutyaba, Poloto and Awany strangely lay down injured after a melee in the hosts’ box but they got back on their feet to soldier on.
With five minutes to play in the opening stanza, Charles Lukwago pulled off a spectacular save to deny Tamene Acchalew from scoring thus receiving a standing ovation from one away end of the stadium at the end of the first half.
Shortly after the start of the second stanza, Allan Okello fired a belter goal bound but Odongkara pushed the ball out for a corner kick in the 47th minute.
KCCA FC players playing with more belief than ever strung passes around to each other to the awe of the hosts. Muzamir Mutyaba and Isaac Kirabira bossing the midfield with a lot of authority. The pair combined well to intercept balls and quickly orchestrating counter attacks.
At the hour mark, Mutyaba burst into space, beat two defenders and shot inches wide above the crossbar.
Five minutes later, Derrick Nsibambi rattled the crossbar with a thumping header off a Kizza Mustafa delivery down the left flank.
Manager Mike Mutebi then made some changes introducing Shaban Muhamad for Paul Mucureezi on 73 minutes. The cameo immediately brought pace to the game and combined well with Nsibambi. With 10 minutes to play, Shaban was brought down in the 18 but the referee waved play on.
With two minutes to play, Filbert Obenchan made a goal saving tackle to deny Abubaker Sani who was through on goal.
Goalless stalemate is how it ended, KCCA FC picking a crucial point away from home in the CAF Champions League first round.
KCCA FC and St George will tussle it out in the return leg on the 17th March 2018 at StarTimes stadium, Lugogo
KCCA FC lineup
C Lukwago (GK), Obenchan, Awany T ©, Kavuma H, Kizza Kirabira, Mutyaba, Okello, Poloto, Nsibambi (Okwalinga), Mucuurezi (Shaban)
St George Line Up
Odongkara (GK), Mentsenot A, Tamene A, Barbacho S, Butako S, Mesein M, Abdoulkarim N, Gadisa M, Amara H, Sani A (Said S)
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