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Quote: El-Merrikh record should worry KCC Fred Musisi Kiyingi Caf Champions League 2nd round qualifier First leg: KCC v Al-Merrikh 17th April, Nakivubo stadium After the surprise elimination of SuperSport United, KCC FC is 180 minutes away from becoming the first Ugandan club to play in the money spinning stages of the African Champions League. But standing in their path is Sudanese side El Merrikh, a team that has enjoyed positive results against Ugandan opposition in the last 10 years. In 2002, El-Merrikh knocked out SC Villa in the first round with a 4-3 aggregate score. They won the home tie 2-0 and held the Jogoos 2-2 at Namboole Stadium. Three years ago, El-Merrikh dumped out URA FC in the first round. The Sudanese giants lost the away leg 2-1 before winning 2-0 in front of their partisan crowd. Despite that impressive record against Ugandan sides, Merrikh are in the shadows of their local rivals El –Hilal back in Sudan. This is only their fourth appearance in Africa’s premier club competition. One thing in KCC’s favour is Merrikh’s poor record on their travels. A good result in the first leg at Nakivubo would thus boost KCC’s chances of qualification. KCC coach George Nsimbe may want to share a word with Bunnamwaya coach Jackson Mayanja, whose team played out a 1-1 draw with Merrikh in a friendly in Khartoum last month. “I do not know much about them,” Nsimbe said yesterday. He was nonetheless confident of progressing. “I however feel we shall beat them.” Wealthy club Unlike KCC which is famed for financial struggles with players complaining of unpaid wages time and again, Merrikh is a wealthy club. The Sudanese side, funded by oil money, has recruited massively around Africa and beyond. In its ranks are two Nigerians; Endurance Idahor (on loan from Al-Nasr-UAE) and Stephen Worgu who was the top scorer with 13 goals in last season’s Champions League while playing for his home side Enyimba. According to Fifa.com, the 20 year old Worgu was transferred to the Sudanese side for $2.6m (Shs4.7b). He was first linked to Egyptian giant side Al- Ahly but negotiations broke down. Also on their books are two Mali internationals, defender Boucader Diallo and midfielder Lasana Farih plus striker Haitham Tambul purchased from Orlando Pirate of South Africa. KCC will certainly not be intimidated by reputations, more so after upsetting a rich SuperSport United side. The eight losers from this round will play the eight winners from CAF Confederation Cup for the right to play in the group stages of Africa’s second rate club competition