Uganda Azam League table leaders, KCCA Football Club squad is confident they can contain African Super Cup and Champions League winners, Mamelodi Sundowns FC in the upcoming CAF Champions League showdown.
The newly revamped side is on the verge of becoming the country’s first team to qualify for the CAF Champion’s League group stages all thanks to the massive investment from Kampala Capital City Authority.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“Yes! They are the defending champions; we respect them for that but that’s where the buck stops.[/perfectpullquote]
“We believe in our way and will approach the match in a positive manner,” KCCA coach Mike Mutebi insisted.
“I believe starting with an away tie is an advantage to us.”
KCCA’s recent form has been formidable after edging out stubborn Ugandan PL side Onduparaka 7-0 to prove that it deserves a spot in the biggest competition on the continent.
They also beat Angola’s heavyweights Primeiro de Agosto in a heavily contested game to make the preliminary rounds on the away goal rule last month, but Sundowns will come as a totally different challenge.
Despite Sundowns not losing a game in the country since 1993, KCCA coach Mutebi insists nothing is impossible and an away goal could make all the difference.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“We have gone for two holding midfielders – Isaac Kirabira and Ivan Ntege – to neutralize their skipper Hlompho Kekana’s passes to Percy Tau, Anthony Laffor and Khama Billiat, if the latter makes it,”[/perfectpullquote]
Mutebi disclosed.
“The two midfielders will, in turn, give Muzamir Mutyaba the freedom to link up with top marksman Geoffrey Sserunkuma who will be deployed as a lone striker.
“The quartet of Mutyaba, Brian Majwega, Paul Musamali and Sserunkuma will have to be the first defensive line in the formation to achieve our goal.
Musamali’s role is basically to help Joseph Ochaya,” a confident Mutebi added in a rather unusual manner disclosing more of his game tactics.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“But, it will count if we can score an away goal.”[/perfectpullquote]
He concluded.
A win will guarantee any of the sides at least $550,000 which is about UGX1.9bn. Sundowns will be without Ugandan goalkeeper Denis Onyango who doubles as the African Player of the year.
KCCA PROBABLE XI
Benjamin Ochan, Denis Okot (cpt), Joseph Ochaya, Habib Kavuma, Timothy Awany, Ivan Ntege, Isaac Kirabira, Muzamir Mutyaba, Geoffrey Sserunkuma, Brian Majjwega, Paul Musamali
Featured photo: KCCA FC
