Saturday Mukura Vs Al Hilal 15:30 Despite his team losing 3-0 to Al Hilal Omdurman over the weekend, Mukura skipper Hussein Ciza has insisted that it is not over yet for the Rwandan side in pursuit of a ticket to the group stage of Total Caf Confederation Cup. Mukura will need more than just luck to turn the tide in their favour on Saturday when they take on Al Hilal in the return leg of the playoff fixture at Huye Stadium. The black-and-yellow outfit will have a mountain to climb as they seek to overturn the deficit from the first-leg match played at Al-Hilal Stadium in Khartoum on Sunday. Mohamed Mukhtar, Idris Mbombo and Ahmed Muhamed netted the goals to give Christian Francis Haringingo’s team a near-impossible task in the second leg. However, Ciza believes Mukura can still turn the tables and force their way through to the next stage. He said: “It was a tough game. We created several chances but sometimes you need to use the chances that come your way, and unfortunately we didn’t and we paid for it.” “The early goal we conceded killed our game plan. We tried to reorganise but we were very nervous to keep composure. We are going to prepare for the home leg the best way possible, it is not over yet.” He further warned Al Hilal that, “Anything can happen on Saturday.” Mukura will need a four-goal margin victory to stand a chance to progress to the group stage of the continental showpiece, which would make them only the second Rwandan side to reach the group stage of any CAF competition after Rayon Sports last season. “We were disappointed that we didn’t even score one goal in the away leg, it would have been a good foundation to build on. We will go into the decisive game as if our lives depend it on, whatever the result, we will have given it our best shot,” noted the Burundi-born forward. Mukura reached the playoffs round – for the first time – last month after edging out another Sudanese side, Hilal Obayed, 5-4 in penalty shootouts following a goalless draw in regular time. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
