By Denis West
The first goal against URA on eight minutes summed up KCCA’s present and future. Right winger Julius Poloto controlled the ball near the corner flag, passed it back to rushing creative gem Allan Okello who superbly controlled it with his magic al left foot before weaving it in with his supposedly weaker right foot. In the box, goal poacher Muhammad Shaban hungrily waited to head the ball past hapless URA custodian Mathias Muwanga. And he did so perfectly with a diving header despite being held back by URA defender Jimmy Kulaba. Pure class, one that KCCA manager Mike Mutebi prefers calling ‘playing our way.’
The three players involved in the final delivery not only hold the future of KCCA but also the national team. They have been together from the U-17 side,through the schools’ tourneys and now here they are cementing a chemistry that promises to lead KCCA to a third straight league crown, another Uganda Cup and a splendid outing in the pending Caf Champions League.
Sticking on Shaban, his second against Paul Nkata’s wobbly side at Lugogo on Tuesday exhibited his meticulous box awareness, speed and never say never attitude. Holding midfielder Isacc Kirabira calmly controlled the ball that had deflected off a URA defender at the edge of the box and ferociously fired a shot that Muwanga fumbled with in goal, Shaban, like a seasoned predator, pounced to tap home KCCA’s second. Sublime.
He wasn’t done. He scored a third in almost similar circumstances and should have added a fourth, but it wasn’t accorded to him by those that compile league stats.
That’s the beauty of having Shaban in your side, you never bargain for controversial goals like Tottenham’s Harry Kane does.
His arrival at Lugogo back in September was greeted with turmoil as parent club Onduparaka tried to hold onto him.Once let off the leash after about five games on the sidelines, Shaban put Police on the knife and riddled Soana with his first hattrick for the Kasasiro Boys. As always, his love for the surgeon’s table surfaced and KCCA inevitably missed his services.He returned recently to inspire KCCA past Simba and Kitara in Uganda Cup and scored a Shs2bn worth goal against St George to catapult the Lugogo boys to the lucrative Caf Champions League group stages.
With partner in crime Derrick Nsibambi down with injury, Mutebi needs Shaban in his red hot form ahead of the tense league title showdown that starts in earnest against Vipers on Friday.
He has already sounded the war drums vowing to find the back of the net against former side Vipers and with his proficiency and sheer determination, you can only argue less.
Still Shaban must also stand tall when KCCA engages Township Rollers, Esperance and Alhly in the tough Caf Champions League group stages that start on May 4.
At 10 goals, you can safely bet that Shaban is going to give current top scorers Nelson Senkatuka (12 goals) and Dan Serunkuma (11) run for their money.
KCCA still has to play against Vipers, Proline, Bright Stars, Police and Express, games you can expect him to grab more than six goals at his rate.
