KCCA has enjoyed the unchartered waters of this year’s CAF Confederation Cup group stages. From five matches, Uganda’s sole representatives have won three to amass nine points and a now a point away from the lucrative quarterfinal stages of the competition. Having outsmarted Moroccan side FUS Rabat 3-1 in Match Day 5 action at Lugogo Stadium on Sunday, KCCA only need to avoid defeat when they face Tunisian hosts Club Africain on Friday.
KCCA coach Mike Mutebi is confident they can pick the required result following an outstanding display against Rabat. “It was the best game in Uganda this season,” Mutebi described the victory over Rabat after goals from Geoffrey Sserunkuma, debutant Sadam Juma and Isaac Muleme. “We were tactically fantastic and the way the lads were playing was a joy to watch.”
Following that pleasing performance, Mutebi knows the hoodoo that Ugandan sides face against Maghreb (North African) teams is no more as they prepare to face 13-time Tunisian champions Africain. “I believe a lot in the young lads. We have an identity and we’ll stick to that (away in Tunisia),” Mutebi said. “The hoodoo has been thrown out and it is us asking the questions.” Since the start of the continental season journey, KCCA has not won a match and neither have they kept a clean sheet away against Club de Agosto (Angola) and Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) in the Caf Champions League as well as Al Masry (Egypt), Rabat and Rivers United in Nigeria.
“The way we play, we shall create chances. Players are still learning to defend as a team instead of individuals. As the team grows and understands how to defend as a unit, we shall sort that.” he added. Mutebi gave continental debuts to Juma and Jackson Nunda, the pair impressing in front of their own faithful at Lugogo. Likely not to change tactics, the duo could still start alongside Muzamiru Mutyaba in the middle of the pack with strikers Derrick Nsibambi and Sserunkuma upfront in a 3-5-2 system.
First-choice goal keeper Benjamin Ochan is available for selection having missed Rabat’s tie through suspension and injury. Like KCCA, Africain are on nine points having become the first team in the group to win away when they beat Rivers United 2-0 in Port Harcourt last weekend thanks to second-half goals from Manoubi Haddad and Austin Festus.
Africain have beaten all their opponents at home, winning 3-0 against the Nigerians and coming from down to pip Rabat 2-1 at the death last month. KCCA’s defence, which has leaked eight goals in five games, must watch out for Algerian forward Ibrahim Chenihi who has netted five times for Africain in the competition. If Rabat and Rivers draw in the other fixture in Morocco, then KCCA and Africain advance to the last eight irrespective of their result in Rades. KCCA beat Africain 2-1 when they met in Kampala with goals from Nsibambi and Tom Masiko.
TOTAL CAF CONFEDERATION CUP
FRIDAY, JULY 7
GROUP A FIXTURES - 11PM (EAT)
Club Africain (TUN) vs. KCCA (UGA)
Referee: Wellington Kaoma (Zambia)
Venue: Stade Olympique de Radès, Radès
FUS Rabat (MAR) vs. Rivers United (NIG)
Referee: Jackson Pavaza (Namibia)
Venue: Stade de FUS, Rabat
TABLE STANDINGS
Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
KCCA 5 3 0 2 8 8 0 9
Club Africain 5 3 0 2 9 6 +3 9
Rivers United 5 2 0 3 5 8 -3 6
FUS Rabat 5 2 0 3 7 7 0 6
KCCA ON THE CONTINENT
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
KCCA 2-1 Club Africain (TUN)
KCCA 2-1 Rivers United (NIG)
Rivers United 2-1 KCCA
KCCA 3-1 FUS Rabat
This writer is a scribe with Daily Monitor Newspaper and, also a sports presenter with NBS Television and Radio One FM 90 in Kampala, Uganda. Follow him on Twitter: @AllanDarren and his Facebook Page: Darren Allan Kyeyune