Mutebi in love with KCCA sober progress

As KCCA confront their most important game on the big stage since the Caf Champions League group format was introduced in the 90s, the Ugandan champions are looking back to recent history with pride.
Not long ago it was almost unheard of to have sustainable, stable management - both administratively and technical-wise - at Lugogo for two successive trophy-rich seasons.
A lot has happened since Mike Mutebi and Sam Ssimbwa were unveiled as the dynamic coaching duo at City Hall, over two years ago.
Ssimbwa, because of his own undoing, has since left the club; and Julius Kabugo - highly credited for laying a professional foundation at KCCA, has since handed over chairperson reins to Aggrey Ashaba.
Two league titles, including a maiden league and Cup double last season, group stage milestone on the continent and success stories of nurturing their own are some of the feel-good tales Mutebi is proud of.
“I can say we are moving according to plan,” says Mutebi, seated behind his office table at StarTimes Stadium in Lugogo, eyes popping out of an assuring smile to emphasise the point.
The football teacher had just overseen his boys put in a session of high octane pressing, passing football midweek as they prepared for today’s must-win Champions League encounter against St George of Ethiopia.
“We want to front ourselves as a big club and we can only do that by consistently playing on the continent,” he explains.
Reclaiming identity
“The structures are being put in place, the club has grown organically both in management and technically.
“We set out to nurture players who understand the ethos of KCCA.”
Mutebi, a coaching graduate of German football and student of soccer icon Johan Cruyff, adds: “Since early 2000s, KCCA developed a bad culture of recruiting players from allover the place.
“In my opinion, the club lost identity along the way. When we came in we had to return our identity.
“And thank God for the Fufa development league (U-17 league). It has helped us a lot.
“That is where we prepare the right players for the next five years.
“Since that league started, we have managed to graduate 11 youngsters to the first team, eight of whom are starters or regulars.”
Some of those promoted from KCCA’s development team include Allan Okello, Mustafa Kizza, Filbert Obenchan and Julius Poloto among others.
“These kids have managed to consume responsibility,” assures Mutebi
“We ushered some of them in during continental engagements; Allan Okello away at Mamelodi Sundowns, Poloto at Club Africain, I mean, even just sitting on the bench alone added something to them. “So this season, because of that experience we trusted them in the league. We want to continue with this nurturing of youngsters.”
Actually Mutebi, 48, believes the club have over-achieved.

Thinking big
“Even management did not believe these things could happen. Now they also think big, thinking of player image rights, of how we can make the club big money.
“We are building what you call a modern footballer. No club in world football graduates 11 players into the first team.
“And even the ones we’ve recruited like Muhammad Shaban, 21, falls in that age bracket. So we have that natural synergy which will be seen for the next five years or so.”
Mutebi says the target for now is to face big clubs and that is by playing on the continent every year.
Last year, KCCA were relegated to the lower Caf Confederation Cup by then reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns, where they made history by playing in the group stage.
“Last year we were not sure of ourselves,” argues Mutebi, “This time we are more assured, and we want to make the group stage of the Champions League and then after we can talk about the quarterfinals.
“But either way, we want to be on the continent, Champions League or Confederation Cup.”
KCCA and St George played out a goalless draw in Addis Ababa, leaving the tie in Kampala today delicately poised.
Mutebi says they tackle St George as a unit without stars, but one that can produce flashes of brilliance from the likes of Okello or Mutyaba.
“We can also count on the experience of Mutyaba, Awany (he has grown in leaps and bounds), Derrick Nsibambi and goalkeeper Charles Lukwago.”
League down to the wire
Should KCCA prevail over St George today, they will make more history as the first Ugandan club to make the group stage of the Champions League since the format was instituted in the 90s. KCCA are still in position to clinch a double again and fulfil their continental ambitions.
Mutebi believes Uganda Premier League (UPL) table leaders SC Villa, together with Vipers, will stretch KCCA till the final day. “We have what it takes to defend the league, Cup and make the group stages on the continent,” says Mutebi.
“But when you look at the log, it is clear who our rivals are.
“I wouldn’t say it’s more competitive this season, maybe there is more vigour. But yes, it will go down to the wire.”
For now though, there is the small matter of St George to sort first and very fast.

MUTEBI AT A GLANCE

Name: Mike Hillary Ray Mutebi
Age: 48
Coaching qualification: Uefa Diploma ‘A’ holder from Germany (DFB)
CLUB MANAGEMENT
1994-96: Assistant coach at then KCC and Miracle
1996: Took over from Phillip Omondi at KCC as head coach before quitting in 1997 for Simba
2003: Head of technical at KCC before shortly resuming his head coaching role.
2011: Signed a three-year Shs360m deal with SC Villa as manager. Deal collapsed with Villa’s division into two sides in the 2012/13 league anarchy.
2015: Joins KCCA as manager alongside Sam Ssimbwa, who was later sacked for kowtowing in match fixing talk
HONOURS
2017: UPL champion, Uganda Cup winner, Coach of the Year
2016: UPL champion, Coach of the Year
FEAT: Confederation Cup group stage
CRANES TENURE
2004: Briefly coached the Cranes but was replaced halfway through the 2006 Nations Cup campaign with Egyptian Mohammed Abbas.