Vipers-KCCA kicks off season
No way through. Vipers Daniel Sserunkuma and Tom Masiko battle KCCA’s Timothy Awayi. PHOTO BY john batanudde
KAMPALA. KCCA had at this point last year already played their third league game of the season, a 4-1 thrashing of Onduparaka.
Vipers on the other hand had picked four points from their opening two fixtures.
But as the two teams face off this evening at Muteesa II Wankulukuku, they will only be playing the curtain raiser that marks the start of the domestic league season.
This has been as a result of various issues causing delay to the league start.
Vipers and KCCA on the other hand are two of the teams in the league worth the wait as evidenced from their last two league meetings last season. The two games produced victories for the home side and nine goals in addition to one of the matches of the season a 3-2 win at Kitende.
Vipers come into this encounter played by the league winners against the Cup holders from the past season, having won their third league crown.
KCCA meanwhile equaled Express’ record of 10 Uganda Cup titles after edging Vipers 1-0 in Bukedea.
Both teams have since undergone considerable changes particularly Vipers who replaced Portuguese coach Miguel DaCosta with Javier Martinez.
Today’s game offers the first opportunity to get a glimpse of how the Mexican intends to play.
Going by their pre-season games, he could name up to five new faces from last season’s championship winning team.
Burundian goalkeeper Fabian Mutombola prized under the noses of Express could start in goal following the departures of Ismail Watenga and James Alitho.
Noah Wafula and Dickens Okwir have been played either side of Dan Sserunkuma but there are plenty of options in Abraham Ndugwa, Davis Kasirye and Brian Kalumba the other new recruits.
KCCA have on the other hand maintained the same shape from last season with the new additions, a number of whom were offered by rivals SC Villa expected to fit in.
Fortune and hardwork has seen Patrick Kaddu make his way to the top as the club’s lead striker and will be supported by a wealth of attacking options.
Allan Kyambadde appears to have slotted in seamlessly alongside Allan Okello, Stephen Sserwadda, Mike Mutyaba and Musa Esenu.
