Battle for midfield slots the push factor for KCCA in Caf

KAMPALA. KCCA manager Mike Mutebi has an enviable assemblage of technically gifted midfield players that he can afford to take on a game without a natural striker and dig up a victory.
In the 3-0 Caf Confederations Cup humbling of Tanzanian outfit Mtibwa Sugar on Saturday at Lugogo, Mutebi’s enterprising midfielders; Lawrence Bukenya, Allan Okello, Gift Ali and Jackson Nunda almost out passed the visitors into oblivion but he insisted that wasn’t the best they can.
“We used the ball well but we didn’t do enough. We should have scored seven, not three (goals).
“Ugandan players are not used to holding onto the ball, sometimes when they have it they know how to use it,” he revealed.
With Isaac Kirabira, Nicholas Kasozi and Julius Poloto not anywhere near the action, Mutebi still had the luxury of bringing on elegant midfielders Muzamiru Mutyaba, Mike Mutyaba and Muwadda Mawejje while unlocking the Mtibwa puzzle.
“The important thing is the team learning how to use the ball. We are not changing anything - home or away. Even if it ends 7-8 (in the Dar es Salaam return leg on Saturday), it will be an end to end match,” he added.
For long, Mutebi has preached ‘playing our way’ even on foreign soil which partly explains the damning away form but he is now convinced with the positive jostle for midfield slots, KCCA has come of age to grind out results - anywhere.
“The level of circulation of the ball has improved as far as we are concerned. We are going to be a great side on the continent. We can now afford to rotate players like we did to Allan Okello and also employ Allan Kyambadde as a center-forward because they have been educated in the way we play.”