Like 2017, KCCA matched the success at the first hurdle of the
CAF Champions League by bundling out Madagascar opponents CNaPS Sport last week. The Kampala-based side won 1-0 courtesy of Paul Mucureezi’s second-half header on February 21 to level 2-2 on aggregate but eliminated the Islanders on away goals’ rule.
It is the same manner in which KCCA ejected Angola’s CD Primeiro de Agosto at this preliminary round stage last year. However, they were beaten by then holders Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa 3-2 on aggregate, falling to the CAF Confederation Cup.
It will be the same story if KCCA fails to beat St. George of Ethiopia when the two teams face off from March 5-7 and March 16-18. But KCCA coach Mike Mutebi insists the Champions League is the priority. “We must play on the continent. Of course, we want to play the big one which is the Champions League but if that fails we have the other one,” Mutebi said in a recent interview. “We have a side that can compete with the big boys in Africa.”
But the biggest problem comes with keeping it tight at the back especially away from home. KCCA has failed to keep a clean sheet in their last eight matches away in continental business. “The way we play, we create chances. Football though is a collective effort. You can be punished by a counter attack so we have to defend as a unit too. What KCCA FC coaches believe in is a style of football that we have instilled in the team.” he added.
2018 CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
PRELIMINARY ROUND
1ST LEG - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10
CNaPS Sport (MAD) 2-1 KCCA (UGA)
2ND LEG - WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21
KCCA 1-0 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
KCCA 2-1 Club Africain (TUN)
KCCA 2-1 Rivers United (NIG)
Rivers United 2-1 KCCA
KCCA 3-1 FUS Rabat
Club Africain 4-0 KCCA
This writer is a scribe with Daily Monitor Newspaper and, also a sports presenter with NBS Television and Radio One FM 90 in Kampala. Follow him on Twitter: @AllanDarren and his Facebook Page: Darren Allan Kyeyune