Returning Ntege means business

KAMPALA- For seven seasons, Uganda Cranes and Township Rollers workaholic midfielder Ivan Ntege worked his socks off in KCCA midfield as the human wall.

First, he is not remorseful for his move to Botswana last year and secondly, he has nothing to prove to his former employers at Lugogo.
“I’m not under pressure to prove to anyone at KCCA like I said before the first leg. Although our chances to progress are minimal, we shall try to play and win,” said the steely midfield anchor.

Indeed the intensity of Saturday’s Caf Champions league clash between KCCA and Rollers at Namboole is not way up there simply because the two sides trail runaway leaders Esperance and Al Ahly by a country mile - with only three points each from four matches.

As Rollers dispatched KCCA 1-0 at the National Stadium in the opening match in May, Ntege was a force to reckon with as his familiarity played an integral part in taming the KCCA midfield of Isaac Kirabira, Lawrence Bukenya, Jackson Nunda and Allan Okello. Ntege is aware that even a win against KCCA may not propel them back on progression trail if Al Ahly beat already qualified Esperance, but says they are here to fight for a win and they will give it their whole.

Botswana table leaders
He was part of Nikola Kavazovic’s entourage that touched down at Entebbe Airport yesterday and is housed at Hotel Africana. Ntege, who missed out on a national team summon this week, says he will be enjoying himself as he faces his erstwhile colleagues.

Rollers lead the Botswana league log with a four-point gap and will once again bank on Thatayaone Ditlhokwe, Kago Monyake, Mosha Gaolaolwe, Maano Ditshupo, Boyo Lechaena and Motsholetsi Sikele for a double over Mike Mutebi’s side.

Striker Pual Kaddu will step in to fill the void left behind by Muhammad Shaban who joined Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca at a reported $130,000.

Tomorrow
KCCA vs Township Rollers
StarTimes Stadium Lugogo 4pm
Esperance vs Al Ahly
Rades Olympique stadium Tunis 10pm
[email protected]