Mike Ray Mutebi has inspired a revival at KCCA but will face the toughest test of his fledgling tenure on Sunday morning (kickoff at midnight Uganda time) when the Kasisiro Boys battle FUS Rabat of Morocco in the Caf Confederation Cup group stage opener at Complexe Sportif Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan.
KCCA, confirmed Ugandan champions this week rode on suspended goalie Benjamin Ochan’s individual brilliance when he saved two penalties and net the winner to guide KCCA past Egyptian side El Masry 4-3 in a tense penalty shootout after the tie was leveled at 1-all over two legs to entered the lucrative group stages.
“We don’t want such a good run to end even if the mountain that is FUS Rabat stands above us this Saturday,” midfielder Paul Mucureezi, among the five senior players out of tonight’s game told TheUgandan in Kampala, lavishing praise on the work done by Mutebi.
“The coach is really meticulous. He knows exactly what he’s doing and what he wants. He’s a leader of men, he passes on his aggression, which is good.”
KCCA Probable XI: Douglas Kisembo (GK), Denis Rukundo, Timothy Denis Awany, Habib Kavuma, Paul Musamali, Isaac Kirabira, Tom Masiko, Ibrahim Saddam Juma, Geoffrey Sserunkuma, Brian Majwega and Isaac Muleme
New signing Ibrahim Saddam Juma is available to make his KCCA debut in the midfield while experienced striker Geoffrey Sserunkuma, who has netted 28 goals this season across all competitions, is expected to lead the line against the 2010 Caf Confederation Cup winners.
The last time a Ugandan team faced FUS Rabat was last year when SC Villa was thrashed 7-0 in the Moroccan city before the record Ugandan league winners won 1-0 in Kampala but the damage had been done.
KCCA will be looking to overturn the status quo and record what would be a historic victory in North Africa for a Ugandan side.