KCCA rises, Victoria falls
SCVU and Don Bosco players attempt to head the ball during their Caf Confederations Cup match in Lubumbashi, DR Congo on Saturday. SCVU need to overturn a 3-0 deficit next weekend in Kampala. MONITOR PHOTO.
What you need to know:
The winner of the KCCA tie will play either Mbabane Swallows of Swaziland or Zambia’s Nkana FC while the winner of SC Victoria’s tie plays Mali’s Djoliba.
KAMPALA
Prior to their respective games on Saturday, KCCA Coach George Nsimbe believed his side was good enough to go past their preliminary round opponents El Merreikh in the Caf Champions League.
His counterpart at SC Victoria University Morley Byekwaso meanwhile knew his side was a work in progress as it prepared to make its debut on the continent to face CS Don Bosco the Caf Confederations Cup. “Focus is on building this team for the future”, he said at the press conference before his team travelled to DRC.
Both assessments turned out right on Saturday as KCCA recorded an impressive 2-0 away first leg victory over El Merreikh while SC Victoria University lost 3-0 to CS Don Bosco in Lubumbashi .
Strikers Herman Wasswa and Tony Odur were on target for KCCA scoring two quick-fire goals in the 22nd and 24th minutes of the first half as the Ugandan side stunned their Sudanese opponents.
Merreikh also had a penalty saved in the 72nd minute by KCCA custodian Salim Jamal as the Ugandan side put one foot in the first round. “They cannot overturn the tie,” Odur said yesterday. His view was also shared by Merreikh’s German tactician Michael Krüger who conceded the tie was almost finished. “We missed many chances and as a result we only have a one percent chance of progressing,” he told the press after the game.
SC Victoria on the other hand fell to an early Luka Lungu flicked header in the eight minute before Reagan Pembele scored his team’s second shortly before the break. Joseph Sitali added the third in the 65th minute after curling a free kick past Benjamin Ochan in goal.
The results mean KCCA can afford to lose the return leg 1-0 on Saturday and still qualify for the first round while SC Victoria will have to score four goals without reply on Sunday if they are to make the next stage.
The winner of the KCCA tie will play either Mbabane Swallows of Swaziland or Zambia’s Nkana FC while the winner of SC Victoria’s tie plays Mali’s Djoliba.
KCC FC Line Up: Jamal Salim (gk), Ssaka Mpiima, Habib Kavuma, Ibrahim Kizza, Fahad Kawooya (c), Ivan Ntege, Gadaffi Kiwanuka, Tom Masiko, Tony Odur (Richard Malinga), Herman Wasswa (Brian Majwega) and William Wadri.
SCVU: Benjamin Ochan (gk) (Ali Kimera 72’), Isaac Muleme, Fred Agandu, Martin Mpuga (c) , Bernard Agele, Yassar Mugerwa, Murshid Jjuko (Muwadda Mawejje 46’), Noah Semakula, Muzamir Mutyaba, Simon Okwi, Daniel Nsubuga (Peter Otai 79’
