Onduparaka chance to exorcise KCCA away ghosts

KAMPALA.

Onduparaka have performed admirably since getting promoted to the topflight league three seasons ago.
A fifth-place finish in 2017 was bettered slightly by the Arua-based side breaking into the top four last season.
But with a 17-point difference between them and champions Vipers, there appears a sizeable gap between them and the title contenders.
That was best exemplified by their away results against KCCA, winners of two of the past three league championships, and who finished 13 points ahead of the Caterpillars.
In the two visits, Onduparaka paid KCCA, they conceded 11 goals with last season’s 4-1 thrashing coming after a 7-0 hammering the previous season.

Removing the mental block
Today’s meeting against the same side in the final of the Pilsner Super 8 Cup pre-season tournament consequently offers Onduparaka a chance to remove the mental block that seemed apparent mostly at Lugogo last season.
In has come coach Asaph Mwebaze, who is expected to strike a balance between playing the short passing attractive style, craved in Arua in addition to securing points.Having been in charge of Maroons for the last decade, his team showed particularly last season that they can match the division’s best teams with none of the top three sides managing a win against them.
Where he had Solomon Walusimbi, Mwebaze now has Vianney Ssekajugo in his ranks with the diminutive left-footed winger having scored eight league goals in addition to a number of assists. Goalkeeper Nicholas Ssebwato was also part of a defence that kept 19 clean sheets, the highest in the division while the addition of Abel Eturudde should add more craft to the side.

Okot factor
Onduparaka can also get a few tips from former KCCA captain Denis Okot, who has also scored the decisive penalties against Ndejje and SC Villa, as they progressed.
KCCA though still come into the game as favourites having benefited most from the mess at rivals SC Villa with additions of Allan Kyambadde, Nicholas Kasozi and Bernard Muwanga.
And even if all three are not required with a Caf champions League game away to Al Ahly on Tuesday, KCCA boast of in form striker Patrick Kaddu whose ‘monkey dance’ goal celebration has been on show in the past two games for the KCCA.

Pilsner Super 8 final
Today at Wankulukuku
KCCA vs. Onduparaka, 4pm