Incidentally, this is the second time in the club’s history to have a skipper who is not an outfield player. KCCA skipper changes right from the 1960s to date present an interesting aspect because many stayed long enough to leave lasting legacies.
So, Ochan has a tall order to etch his name in the club records and he may only need to look at the careers of his predecessors to understand the job at hand. I am going to confine myself to three skippers whom I consider to have stood out.
SAM MUSENZE (1975-1984)
Musenze is a KCCA all-time great. Having joined KCCA from Fiat FC in 1972, he always masked his slow pace with a high degree of game reading. He could also play in any of the full-back positions.
A favourite for players and fans, he became KCCA captain in 1975. He wasn’t the most authoritative like Jimmy Kirunda or entertainer like Phillip Omondi but Musenze was a natural leader. As a rule, he would ensure that the KCCA bus drops his teammates home safely before taking him back home.
Affectionately known as Life captain, Musenze helped KCCA side with four league titles (1976, 1977, 1981, 1984). He also guided the Lugogo-based club to three Uganda cup titles (1979, 1980 and 1982) plus the 1978 Cecafa title.
He was also a key player in the Uganda Cranes side that reached the 1978 Afcon final. Musenze handed the armband to a young Charles Masiko in 1984 before quitting the following year. Musenze passed on January 20, 1994.
CHARLES MASIKO (1984-1992)
Masiko graduated from the club’s youth ranks in 1982 as a left winger but due to his versatility, he featured in all defensive positions.
Many KCCA fans wondered why Masiko was given the club’s captaincy in 1984 ahead of many senior players. But before they could get the answer, the towering defender was hoisting the 1984 Uganda Cup trophy at Bugembe stadium after an explosive 3-2 victory over Coffee.
He went on to guide the club to 1991 league title as well as the 1987 and 1990 Uganda Cup titles. Before retiring in 1995, he had transferred the armband to the popular Sam Ssimbwa in 1992, who also passed it to Derrick Muyanja a year later.
Masiko played for a short time for The Cranes, but spent his entire soccer career in KCCA before retiring in 1995.
DENIS OKOT (2015-2018)
The appointment of Mutebi as KCCA manager in July 2015 opened the doors to many youthful players to shine and one of them was Denis Okot.
Mutebi had managed Okot at SC Villa in 2011 but whereas the prodigy was not highly touted, he exuded leadership skills. Apart from being part of the watertight defence which took the club to places, Okot helped many youthful players to settle in the club.
His loyalty to the club and dedication in training explains why he was made skipper ahead of experienced Habib Kavuma. Okot’s leadership saw him guide the club to the 2016 league title and the following season (2016-2017); he made history when the club registered a rare double (league and Uganda Cup titles).
So, Ochan has a huge task to convince the club faithful that he can lead the team to great heights and this is not necessarily winning titles but leading by example in all ways.
bzziwa@observer.ug
The author is The Observer operations director
