Derby win leaves KCCA FC coach with a lot to ponder

KCCA FC coach Mike Mutebi. File photo

KAMPALA.

Scoring goals is a must job for KCCA if they are to overturn Madagascar side CNaPS’s 2-1 lead in the Caf Champions League return leg on Wednesday at Lugogo.
Yet against SC Villa on Thursday in the cross-city derby at StarTimes Stadium, KCCA’s attacking force of Muhammad Shaban and Paul Mucureezi looked less frightening - partly blame it on the absence of injured marksmen Derrick Nsibambi and Patrick Kaddu.
“We are running a marathon. We have played Villa, play Simba in the Uganda Cup on Sunday and then host CNaPS on Wednesday, we are ready for it all,” KCCA manager Mike Mutebi told SCORE.
He revealed that the hard earned 1-0 win over the Uganda Premier League leaders gave the them the much needed confidence going into the continental engagement.
One positive Mutebi picked from the match was the lively and commanding performance of custodian Charles Lukwago and goalscorer Allan Okello.
“I have said it time and again that Okello is a special player.He is educated in the style we want to play and does everything I command him to do.
“We need him to do that in the Caf game.”
The youthful midfielder came on for Jackson Nunda only to turn the game’s tide with over five successful dribbles, forcing a save from Villa keeper Samson Kirya, hitting the woodwork before he curled in a jaw-dropping free-kick on 83 minutes. Pure class.
Many yards behind him Lukwago was outstanding between the sticks; saving Allan Kyambadde, Ambrose Kirya and George Ssenkaba goal-bound shots which earned him the Fortebet man of the match prize.
“Lukwago showed that he is the most on-form goalkeeper in the league at the moment. I need such displays from him continuously,” Mutebi added.

Grey areas
Not all looked rosy though, KCCA’s backline of Filbert Obenchan, Timothy Awany, Habib Kavuma and Hassan Musana was unsettled against the Jogoos. This is something Mutebi must work on before they meet the attack-minded Malagasy side that put them on the back foot for larger spells in Antananarivo.
The absence of injured first-choice playmaker Muzamir Mutyaba was also noticeable at some point. Granted, he was off-color by the time he went to the sick bay, but Mutyaba is peerless in linking up play - something that neither Sadam Juma, Lawrence Bukenya nor Mucureezi has done yet.
For once, KCCA’s squad depth seems to be a point of concern and it is moments like these that they require prospective players like Shaban need to stand up to be counted.

TODAY’s FIXTURES
Return Leg, February 21
KCCA ( 1) vs CNaPS (2)
Uganda Cup, Sunday
Simba vs KCCA
Kabanyoro grounds