We had our work clearly cut out as we need to win against CS Constantine in the return leg on Saturday (December 22) to progress to the group stag
We lost 1-0 in Algeria on a cold Friday night against Constantine at Stade Mohamed-Hamlaoui.
The Venoms needed an away goals rule to march into the first round over Sudan’s Al Merrikh. But we do not have any favours if we fail to score at least twice when meet on Saturday at St Mary’s Stadium in Kitende.
It was not a convincing win for the Algerians either after Kadour Beldjilali gave the hosts a 14th minute lead after beating goalkeeper Bashir Sekagya.
When the youthful goalkeeper was replaced, Constantine kept pushing for another goal, wasting a handful of opportunities. Constantine could have gone for the break with two goals had it not been to the kind Senegalese referee Maguette N’Diaye, who was not interested in the penalty appeal in the 44th minute.
Goalkeeper Derrick Ochan, who replaced an injured Ssekagya was forced into action several times. We had our chances to forcing goalkeeper Chameseddine Rahmanito save with 15 minutes to play.
In added time, the referee again deprived the hosts of another goal that was ruled offside. That win may prove insufficient as we have proved we can breach defences.