Mutebi plays down Vipers game

Away mission: KCCA's Muhammad Shaban (L) will be key in Botswana tonight. File photo

What you need to know:

  • Soccer: The visiting manager seems to have fully engaged the mind games gear. Mutebi has, since Villa went top, insisted pressure is on the Jogoos. Now he says Edward Golola’s boys carry the burden.

KAMPALA.

KCCA and Vipers contributed a combined 10 goals in their previous Azam Uganda Premier League (AUPL) respective matches this week.
Now, following their huge victories over URA and Masavu respectively, they come face to face today in a battle pitting first against third.
A 7-2 annihilation is surely not a shabby statistic to carry to St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende; the first time KCCA will be playing there since the facility’s opening.
“We get into this with more confidence, with (Muhammad) Shaban back scoring, and my fantasista Allan Okello on song.”
Shaban netted a hattrick in the destruction of URA, with Okello making four assists and curling in a goal of his own.
“We have more confidence because we are playing a team above us, and they are at home.
“The will have to fancy their chances but I’m confident we have enough in our armoury.”
Joint table leaders with Vipers on 49 points, SC Villa - who face Mbarara City tomorrow in Western Uganda, might have to just cheer for a draw.
Victory for Vipers will see the Venoms establish a three-point lead at the top, while three points for KCCA will see them top with a two-mark margin. There is no disputing what a psychological boost or beating victory or defeat will do to any of the two today.
But while KCCA manager Mutebi admits victory would edge them closer to the title defence, he dismisses that anything short of that would hurt their season.
“For us, every game is a title decider, “ he said at yesterday’s media briefing, “They have the same objectives as ours. To win the title.”
“Whatever happens tomorrow (today) is not the turning point... I’ve always said this championship is going down to the wire.”
Mutebi’s counterpart in absence of suspended Miguel Da Costa, Edward Golola, just like the KCCA coach, expects a good game.
“Both teams have good players and good coaches,” said Golola.
“We must use the character and fighting spirit we used in the win over Villa in Masaka to prevail over KCCA.”
Vipers saw off Masavu 3-1 in their last game, with KCCA old boy Tom Masiko scoring one goal.
“Masiko is one of the good players, but it’s not about Masiko. It’s about Vipers and KCCA. Of course, just like Shaban, it could spur Masiko to do well against his former side,” Mutebi observed.
As for facing Shaban, the hosts seem to have forged a strategy.
“He (Shaban) plays with speed but we are going to employ either Halid Lwaliwa or Geoffrey Wasswa to mark him out of the game,” Golola, who coached the striker at St Mary’s, Kitende and briefly at Vipers, told Daily Monitor.
Daniel Sserunkuma and Milton Karisa are the other players KCCA will keep close watch of.
KCCA’s Mutebi had a small word for the whistle personnel: “I hope the referees are up to scratch. If they get it right, and the players get it right, I expect a good match.”

ST MARY’S STADIUM, KITENDE
Vipers vs KCCA
Today at 4pm. Match is live on Azam TV