Preview: Egypt’s Masry, Smouha facing tough tests to reach Confed Cup group stage

Egyptian clubs Masry and Smouha are aware they cannot afford a blip similar to the one they had in the previous round as they seek to qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup group stage.

Masry are away to Uganda’s Kampala Capital City Authority, better known as KCCA, while Smouha visit South Africa’s Bidvest Wits in Saturday’s first-leg encounters of a playoff that qualifies for the group stage of Africa’s second tier club competition.

Both sides are enjoying a fine run in the Egyptian league but their little experience in African competitions almost cost them in the previous round.

Smouha, who finished third in the Egyptian league last season, seemed to be cruising to an easy aggregate victory over Kenya’s Ulinzi Stars when they crushed them 4-0 in Alexandria in the first leg last month.

However, they were given a huge scare in the return leg, advancing by the skin of their teeth after a stunning 3-0 defeat following a disastrous defensive display.

Masry, on the other hand, were lucky to progress after slumping to a 2-0 defeat at Mali’s Djoliba in the first leg, having benefited from a FIFA suspension of Mali to advance after their opponents were disqualified.

Smouha and Masry are likely to face sterner tests against KCCA and Bidvest Wits respectively, both of whom were demoted to the Confederation Cup after defeats in the round of 32 of the prestigious African Champions League.

Bidvest Wits were eliminated from the Champions League following a narrow 1-0 defeat by record eight-time winners Ahly of Egypt, having put on a brave display, while KCCA were close to springing a huge upset at the expense of defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa.

Sundowns needed a late strike from Anthony Laffor in the second leg to seal a 3-2 aggregate win over KCCA and avoid a stunning early exit.

The second leg encounters will take place four days later in Masry’s home Port Said city and Smouha’s hometown of Alexandria

Source: Ahram online