KCCA seek response at Express

Mission accomplished. KCCA’s Sadam Juma has reportedly been cleared by Caf to face Fus Rabat on Sunday. File photo

What you need to know:

  • The title watch will be both at Wankulukuku where table leaders visit Express, and in Masaka, where SC Villa will hope to keep alive their title hopes by beating Police

Kampala.

KCCA manager Mike Mutebi is demanding a response from his players when the Azam Uganda Premier League (UPL) defending champions visit Express at Wankulukuku this evening.

Vipers’ 2-1 victory over KCCA on Tuesday blew the unbeaten home bubble on the artificial turf, leaving the champions stuck on 48 points - level with Villa.

KCCA, however, have six games left to play as compared to Villa’s four and Vipers’ five, with the latter third on the log in 42 points.

The Lugogo side travel to Wankulukuku hardly on good footing after drawing twice (URA and SC Villa) and losing one in their last three matches.

Should KCCA drop points at Express and SC Villa win against Police, the title race will be given further life.

And Express midfielder Saddam Juma, never mind his team long out of the league title contention, wants exactly that.

“We know it is like a title decider for KCCA,” Juma told Daily Monitor yesterday, “But we are coming at them because we have nothing to lose.” “This is a big game for big players and I’m inspired by the fact that I always play well when I face KCCA.”

This game is also perfect tonic for a potential Uganda Cup semi-final tie between the two in the event KCCA eject Police in the pending quarterfinal match at Namboole on Sunday.
“We are banking on our home support that enabled us beat Villa,” added Juma.

KCCA manager, Mutebi, knows that short of a positive response his players could be stretched psychologically.
“It is a reactionary match,” he said, “I was not overly bothered by the result (Vipers’ 2-1 loss) because we made school boy mistakes.

“The reaction will be that those mistakes are addressed. We are facing a very organised side defensively.”

Mutebi added: “They have a couple of players who can manage the ball very well. It is going to be tough because Express has players that play hot and cold and are now eager to show that they can still play at the top level.”

On KCCA’s leaking defence, where they last kept a clean sheet against Al-Masry of Egypt, Mutebi insisted they “cannot sacrifice our identity because we want to defend.

“We will try to improve on those defensive errors. We are certain that Matia Lule’s sides are always defensively organised.”

Coach Lule’s Express, with the likes of Juma and forward Simon Sserunkuma ready to probe the visitors, have no injury worries. Youngster Allan Okello, who missed the game against Vipers because of school, is available for selection while midfielder Muzamir Mutyaba has shaken off a shoulder niggle from Tuesday.
Defender Timothy Awany is, however, out through suspension after accumulating three yellow cards.

Last 10 league meetings between KCCA and Express

27/09/2016
KCCA FC 3-1 Express
24/05/2016
Express 1-1 KCCA FC
25/08/2015
KCCA FC 1-1 KCCA FC
28/04/2015
KCCA FC 0-3 Express
28/11/2014
Express 0-0 KCCA FC
22/04/2014
KCCA 2-3 Express
01/11/2013
Express 1-1 KCCA FC
08/03/2013
KCCA FC 5-0 Express
30/10/12
Express 1-1 KCCA FC
06/01/2012
KCCA FC 2-0 Express

AUPL MATCHES TODAY
Express vs KCCA
Wankulukuku, Azam TV 4pm
SC Villa vs Police
Masaka Recreation Ground, 4.30pm