KCCA FC take on Lungujja Galaxy this evening in the round-of-32 Uganda Cup fixture at Phillip Omondi stadium, reports JOHN VIANNEY NSIMBE.
Defender Joseph Ochaya flew out to Zambia yesterday. The left-back, who was accompanied by his club chairman Julius Kabugo, will undergo trials as he seeks a permanent move away to greener pastures.
However, this development will set aback many KCCA faithful because it coincides with the team’s preparations for a crucial Caf Champions League return leg against Angolan side Primeiro de Agosto on Sunday.
With a slim 1-0 advantage from the first leg at Lugogo last Friday, KCCA fans would want all their best players available; and definitely less of the Uganda Cup distraction. The original fixture date for the Uganda Cup game was February 19 but manager Mike Mutebi and his team chose to have their match brought forward and avoid fixture congestion. Mutebi also wants to keep his players in competitive mode before the Sunday tie.
“The players are used to playing two games a week like it happens in Europe. It is also part of the training for us, as the Uganda Cup game comes four days before the Primeiro de Agosto return leg,” Mutebi said.
Mutebi said they could have another friendly game with Proline before they fly out to Luanda, which could be on Friday: “You see, once we arrive in Luanda, there will not be much to do, but relaxing. So, we are doing our training here through these games.”
KCCA beat Maroon FC 2-0 in a friendly game at Namboole yesterday. The purpose of such games is to put into practice their approach play once in Angola. Mutebi was dissatisfied with his team’s profligacy yet they created many chances in the first leg.
And as they try to polish up their finishing, he acknowledged that his first team was taking shape. He was also doubly getting more confident that they will eliminate de Agosto despite the disruptions in his team like the Ochaya absence.
Mutebi said there is a good chance Ochaya will link up with the rest of the team in Angola. But Mutebi said Isaac Muleme could step in and fill the void of Ochaya. However, there is deep concern after Vincent Kayizzi and Timothy Awany dodged the afternoon session on Monday without sufficient reason.
Mutebi remains unfazed and the possibility of dropping them for the second leg looms. “At this club, there is order and all the players know it. Whoever gets out of line without a valid reason, will have to face the arm of the law as provided for by the club,” he stated.
He emphasized discipline in the team supersedes everything, including the high stakes in their fixture with de Agosto.
jovi@observer.ug