Today Hilal Obayed Vs Mukura 18:30 Mukura Victory Sports captain Hussein Ciza has urged his teammates to be calm and confident when they take on El Hilal SC El Obeid in a CAF Confederation Cup tie on Saturday. The two sides square off in the first-leg of the competition’s first round at El Obeid/El Obeid Stadium in Sudan. The second-leg and decisive clash will be played at Huye Stadium on December 22. “We expect a tough game in a hostile atmosphere, but we must ensure it doesn’t intimidate us or determine how we perform. We will face them with determination and confidence,” said Ciza. Mukura departed for Sudan on Thursday morning and had two training sessions on Friday before Saturday’s much-anticipated match. “I am optimistic of a positive result, but, most importantly, I have confidence in my teammates. We have a challenge to show that we are capable of sailing through to the next round, and we are up for it,” Ciza added. The black and yellow outfit, who are representing the country in the continental competition thanks to their 2018 Peace Cup triumph in August, progressed to the first round a fortnight ago after easing past South Africa’s Free State Stars in the preliminary round. “To win in Sudan is every player’s wish but we will have to work for it, and if we do that, then the job in the return-leg will be much easier.” Francis Haringingo’s Mukura are in the Caf Confederation Cup for the first time in 18 years while Hilal Obayed reached the round of last eight on their debut last year. Should the Huye-based see off Hilal Obayed over the double-legged tie, it will be the club’s first time to go past the first round in the continental competition. They previously made five (1982, 1987, 1988, 1993 and 2001) appearances in the tournament. Who are Hilal Obayed? Established in 1931, El Hilal Sports Club El Obeid, or simply El Hilal El Obeid, is a Sudanese club based in Al-Ubayyid, and host their home games at the 27,000-seater Al-Ubayyid Stadium. Despite being close to 90-year-old, the club did not feature in any continental competition until the 2017 CAF Confederation Cup where they defied the odds to reach the last eight. On their second appearance in the competition this year, Hilal Obayed were eliminated by Mozambican side União Desportiva do Songo in the play-off round. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
