First leg
Sunday
Al Hilal Vs Mukura
Return leg
Jan. 20
Mukura Vs Al Hilal
After seeing his side being held to 1-1 by Marines on Sunday at Umuganda Stadium, Mukura head coach Francis Christian Haringingo has said they will now turn their focus on their playoff-round tie against Al Hila of Sudan in Total CAF Confederation Cup.
Mukura will have to improve when they face Sudanese side Al Hilal in a double-legged tie if the Huye-based are to reach the lucrative group stage of the 2018/2019 CAF Confederation Cup.
The first leg will be played Sunday away while Mukura will host the return leg January 20.
The Peace Cup holders reached the first round following a 5-4 penalty shootout triumph over Hilal Obayed, another Sudanese side, both sides having played out a goalless draw in regular time.
"What’s important now is the game against Al Hilal. All of us are looking forward to the game and want to win it,” Haringingo said.
The Rwandan side will be without midfielder Alex Nkomezi who sustained an industry during a motorcycle ride.
Haringingo urged his players to get ready for the tough task that lies ahead of them as they seek to maintain their perfect form going into the continental football tie.
"We need to be ready for both the league and Confederation Cup matches, our ambition is to do well in both competitions,” he added.
Mukura are expected to head to Sudan on Thursday night.
Haringingo’s men reached the playoffs round – for the first time ever– after edging out another Sudanese side, Hilal Obayed, 5-4 in penalty shootouts following a goalless draw in regular time.
Al Hilal dropped to Caf Confederation after they were seen off by Tunisia’s Club Africain 3-2 in the first round of the CAF Champions League.
This is the first time the Huye-based outfit have progressed past the first round of the continent’s second biggest club competition.
The Peace Cup holders are taking part in the continental showpiece for the first time in 18 years, since 2000 when they were knocked out in the first round by Ethiopian side Awassa City.
The winners of the play-off round contest will advance to the lucrative group stage.
Should Mukura eliminate Al Hilal, they will become the second Rwandan club to reach the competition’s group stage after Rayon Sports, last season.
editorial@newtimes.co.rw