No fear; only respect for Egypt’s Ahly - insist KCCA

Illustrious opponents: Al Ahly players training at Namboole yesterday. The Egyptian club side are the most successful team ever on the African continent. PHOTO BY eddie chicco

What you need to know:

  • Fit again Sadam Juma and Isaac Kirabira look to be the men to stand in front of skipper Timothy Awany and company.
  • Awany, at the heart of defence with Habib Kavuma, Mustafa Kizza and Denis Okot, plus returning goalkeeper Charles Lukwago will have to be at their best to stop Al Ahly’s dangermen Salah Mohsen and Marwan Mohsen.

Caf champions league

Today:
KCCA vs Al Ahly (Egypt)
Entrance fee:
Shs10,000 (Ordinary), 20,000 (VIP),
50,000 (VVIP)

Kampala. Al Ahly are Africa’s most successful club, but KCCA have an opportunity, here.
A Caf Champions League victory for manager Mike Mutebi’s men over the Egyptians at Namboole today would send shock-waves throughout the continent.

A club with offices in containers, as pointed out by Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane while crediting KCCA’s work ethic, would have actually downed an Ahly side valued at about $26m.

“For us it’s a privilege to play against the best club in Africa,” said Mutebi of the eight-time African champions, “It’s the only way to gauge our progress. “We respect Al Ahly as a dominant force and for all they’ve achieved.
“But as an emerging force we have the desire to play against the best.

“We have the youngest team on the continent with the average age of 21 and we have given these boys responsibility.
“What I can assure you is that we shall go and play our way. “I don’t mind if we won 4-3 but what we want is to play good, entertaining football and both sides are capable of that.”

Both Mutebi and Ahly coach Hossam El Badry agreed that while the Namboole turf could have been in a better state, “it’s acceptable for us.”

KCCA have played all their recent continental home games at StarTimes Stadium, Lugogo, but Caf deemed the facility inadequate for the Champions League group stage, thus the move to Namboole.
Coach El Badry told the media last evening that he has been watching KCCA local games and the 1-0 defeat to Township Rollers.

“They have also been following us,” said El Badry, “So wait tomorrow on the pitch. I also watched Uganda National team against Egypt (1-0 in Kampala) and have to say Uganda and KCCA football has improved.

“But our main target tomorrow (today) is to win because we drew our first match (goalless against Esperance).
“I hope for me and my players to have luck with officiating because in the first match we suffer a lot.”
Muhammad Shaban is expected to lead KCCA line with - as per the final training yesterday -, Julius Poloto, Allan Okello and Jackson Nunda playing a support role against hard man Ahmed Fathi and company.

Fit again Sadam Juma and Isaac Kirabira look to be the men to stand in front of skipper Timothy Awany and company.
Awany, at the heart of defence with Habib Kavuma, Mustafa Kizza and Denis Okot, plus returning goalkeeper Charles Lukwago will have to be at their best to stop Al Ahly’s dangermen Salah Mohsen and Marwan Mohsen.