Holders KCCA brace for life without Sserunkuma

KAMPALA. KCCA Mike Mutebi admitted they painfully let go of goal machine Geoffrey Sserunkuma – the reigning club and Uganda Premier League (UPL) MVP.
“We tried to give him another offer but Buildcon (Zambia) offered a better one. He is the only player among those we released that we will miss dearly but remember no player is bigger than the club,” Mutebi told the media as he unveiled 10 new signings on Friday at Lugogo.
The expectations at the league and cup winners are soaring but Mutebi went for rookies Jamil Maliyamungu, Filbert Obenchan, James Begisa, Allan Oryek Mohammad Abdullah, Faisal Kiberu, Ibrahim Wamannah Abubakar Saddiq Tijjani, Malango Faisam Ndjibu, Patrick Kaddu and Tito Okello while beefing up for the demanding season.
“Sserunkuma helped Derrick Nsibambi develop into a Cranes starter and we hope to build on him (Nsibambi) in his absence. We believe the new strikers (Wamannah, Kaddu and Okello) we have brought in can fill his void,” he added.
Kaddu arrives from Maroons with 16 Fufa Big League goals last season while well-built Okello brings in speed from Tanzanian side Mbeya.
Mutebi says the club has enough experience in Muzamir Mutyaba, Saddam Juma, Benjamin Ochan, Vincent Kayizzi, Paul Mucureezi and Jackson Nunda that will help the new arrivals to fit in and play the ‘KCCA way’.
“Next season is going to be a five-horse race and these new ‘hungry’ players are going to push the old guards to compete for titles.
“To me, this squad is far better than the one we had last season,” he said.
Kaddu, who idolizes 32-goal hero Sserunkuma, pledges to score 10 goals in his debut season – if only he fits into the team quickly.
“Football is a team sport, if I get the assists, be sure of goals coming because I’m good with the head and both feet,” he promised.