KCCA 2-1 Club Africain (TUN)
KCCA 2-1 Rivers United (NIG) KCCA will try to leave no stone unturned when they host CNaPS Sport in the return leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary round match at the StarTimes Stadium in Lugogo on Wednesday.
The Ugandan representatives lost the first leg 2-1 to their Madagascar opponents despite striker Derrick Nsibambi scoring first on February 10.
Since that defeat, KCCA has recovered with a vital 1-0 win over fellow title-chasing side SC Villa in the Azam Uganda Premier League and a narrow 2-1 win over Simba in the Uganda Cup round of 32.
KCCA coach Mike Mutebi believes his team is ready to alter the score and progress to the next round where they face Ethiopia’s St. George.
“Almost all the players are in good shape,” Mutebi said before confirming creative midfielder Muzamiru Mutyaba’s unavailability and the return of defender cum wing back Paul Musamali.
“We must win this match and the catalyst is tactical,” Mutebi stated during the press conference at Lugogo on Tuesday.
In Madagascar, KCCA conceded yet again for the seventh straight match away on the continent. However, captain Timothy Awany insists they hold the upper hand on home turf.
“Sometimes we lose concentration away from home. We are at home and good to go,” stated the central defender.
“Nothing is going to change. The way we played in Madagascar is the same way we shall play tomorrow (Wednesday).
But Mutebi acknowledges CNaPS’ strength with ball. “We respect them, they are team that works with the ball. They will come here with the strategy of using the ball intelligently. Besides, they are a very good attacking.”
The coach further called on his players to be sharper going forward. During the away leg, teenage playmaker Allan Okello is reported not have delivered to the front pair of Muhammad Shaban and Nsibambi as required.
But against Villa, Okello came off the bench for Jackson Nunda at half-time and after forcing two saves from Samson Kirya, he struck the winner from a free kick.
Okello replaced Nunda again after 58 minutes against Simba as KCCA FC progressed to the Stanbic Uganda Cup round of 16 with a 2-1 victory, he is likely to regain the starting slot.
“There is the ‘special one’ who can unlock their defenders,” Mutebi described the 18-year-old.
As KCCA desire effectiveness on the offensive end, they must also be aware that CNaPS eliminated Botswana’s Township Rollers and Kenya’s Gor Mahia at this stage in 2017 and 2016 respectively.
2018 CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
PRELIMINARY ROUND
1ST LEG
CNaPS Sport (MAD) 2-1 KCCA (UGA)
2ND LEG - WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21
KCCA vs. CNaPS Sport
KCCA ON THE CONTINENT - 2017
CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
KCCA 1-0 Club de Agosto (ANG)
Club de Agosto 2-1 KCCA
Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA) 2-1 KCCA
KCCA 1-1 Mamelodi Sundowns
CAF CONFEDERATION CUP
KCCA 1-0 Al Masry (EGY)
Al Masry 1-0 KCCA
(KCCA won 4-3 on penalties)
GROUP STAGE
FUS Rabat (MAR) 3-0 KCCA
Rivers United 2-1 KCCA
KCCA 3-1 FUS Rabat
Club Africain 4-0 KCCA