Mutebi rips into misfiring stars

KAMPALA.

To many, KCCA manager Mike Mutebi is that tell-as-it-is coach who never handles self-satisfied players with kid gloves.
He lived to his billing yesterday during the unveiling of six new players at Lugogo when he lambasted off-color playmaker Muzamir Mutyaba and goalkeeper Benjamin Ochan.
“We keep replenishing the team because most of our players get carried away with minimalistic achievements,” he said.
“Since we took over (in 2015), these players have won league back to back, won a double and showed they can compete with the best on the continent. Unfortunately for most of them they get carried away and it is finished for them.”
Mutebi went for relatively new faces; Solomon Okwalinga ( Mbarara City), Thomas Ikara (Kirinya Jinja SS), Hassan Musana (Bul), Abubaker Matsiko (Katale), Steven Sserwadda and Herbert Achai (both from the KCCA junior side).
He defended the choice of his January acquisitions; “we have been monitoring these boys we have brought in and we are strategic in things we do.”
“I know what type of player that is going to fit in our type of play. Everybody now believes and knows that we should go to the group stages and this is a mentality we can achieve. These players are young, hungry and competitive,” he told Daily Monitor.
Mutebi warned misfiring players like Muzamir Mutyaba and Benjamin Ochan that their days in the first team are now numbered.
“I wonder why most are on the national team. A national team is not a renewal of acquaintances. These are my players and am not going to start sugarcoating them.
“Most of our players are in the euphoria of winning a double and playing on the continent.” His remarks come at time when Mutyaba and Ochan are nursing a pitiable form in the Chan tourney in Morocco.
The tactician reasoned that Okwalinga is not different from Mutyaba in the creative midfield realm and so is youngster Achai from Isaac Muleme at left back.
As KCCA head to Kenya for a couple of friendly matches, Mutebi revealed he had not included Muleme, Tito Okello, Allan Oliech, Derrick Nsibambi and Ochan in his provisional squad to play in next month’s caf Champions League tourney where they open up with Madagascar champions CNaPS.