Today

MTN Champions League
Atraco  v  El Merreikh
Kick off: 3pm

There will be no room for error for Rwanda’s champions Atraco when they line-up big-spending Sudanese club Al Merreikh in the preliminary stage, return leg of the African Champions League this afternoon at Nyamirambo stadium.

Trailing 2-1 from the first leg, Atraco, who are playing in Africa’s most prestigious club competition for the first time since their promotion to the top flight league in 2005/06 season, have Joseph Kabagambe’s away goal to thank for the mental advantage.

A precious 1-0 home win over Merreikh would take them through under the away goals rule.

Atraco’s date with Merreikh possesses all the trademarks of ‘life or death, where anything but victory, will leave the club’s faithful with more than their Valentine Day celebrations shattered.

For Atraco to earn a momentous win, the team will definitely have to play out of their skins to get that early goal. It’s an amazing prediction, but has no doubts whatsoever that Atraco are well capable of that.

But Merreikh pose a huge threat going forward and coach Sam Timbe is urging caution.

"Merreikh is a good team and it will be a tough game because every one will be looking for goals.

"We need not to create room for our opponents because they are good at creating chances,” Timbe said.

Ugandan defender Tom Ssemwogerere returns to the team having missed the first leg with a knee injury.

But the spotlight will inevitably be on man-of-the-moment Kabagambe whose form in the league’s second round and the club’s training session has been exceptional.

Elimination at this stage would be a massive blow for a club that has splashed millions of dollars to lure stars to Sudan, including the Nigerian teenager Stephen Worgu.

The striker was the top scorer in last year’s Champions League with 13 goals as Enyimba of Nigeria reached the semi-finals before losing to eventual winners Al Ahly of Egypt.

Worgu is not the only Nigerian at Merreikh, his compatriots midfielder Endurance Idahor and striker Kelechi Osunwa are also at the club.

Osunwa is also a proven scorer at Champions League level and recently signed from arch rivals Al Hilal.

German born Coach Michael Kruger is focused and believes his team is alert and ready to confront Atraco.

"It will be a difficult game but we have to stick to our game plan and use every opportunity attained to enable us reach the next round,” Kruger told Sunday Sport yesterday.

Ends