WAY FORWARD: How can KCCA ride on Al Ahly mega defeat to gain group qualification?

By Denis West

Egypt's El Masry, Morocco's Fus Rabat, Club Africain of Tunisia and eight-time African champions Al Ahly, more Magreb victims are still falling at home for KCCA!

But this is a tourney played on home and away basis and it is on foreign soil that KCCA has failed to get a win.

With the home puzzle against North Africans almost complete, the Ugandan champions can now embark on changing their woeful away fortunes.

After a wonderful second half strike from Sadam Juma and a penalty by defender Timothy Awany handed KCCA a 2-0 victory that earned them the first three points, Mike Mutebi's side can afford to dream.

KCCA's next match is on July 17 away to Esperance in Tunisia and the two will meet in the reverse fixture a few days after.

Apart from the Mamelodi Sundowns, Mutebi’s all-conquering army has won eight of nine home contests with Al Ahly becoming the fourth club from the Maghreb region to be floored on home soil.

Emphatically thumping an Al Ahly side that has over six stars set to feature for Egypt in next month’s World Cup in Russia, brings the onus on KCCA to post equally spirited displays in the upcoming games.

The administration of KCCA is yet to indicate the cash bonus the boys will get after the labored win but considering that billions are waiting if group progress is achieved, they should more than double the Shs50,0000 paid to each player upon ejecting St George recently.

Although Mike Mutebi says he will stick to upcoming Uganda players, at this stage you would expect KCCA to be venturing in the June-July transfer window aggressively to get experienced players to beef up.

KCCA should also raid rivals SC Villa to get holding midfielder Nicholas Kasozi and left-sided attacking forward Martin Kizza to add bite and agility on the wings.

If not, invade vipers for marauding winger Milton Karisa to give push to Paul Mucureezi and Julius Poloto while acquiring battle hardened defensive midfielder Taddeo Lwanga would ease the workload on Isaac Kirabira.

KCCA’s backline also needs some revamping is they are to avoid heavy Caf defeats they suffered at the hands of Esperance in 1997 – 3-1 at Nakivubo and 6-0 in Tunisia for an ugly aggregate score of 9-1. For now KCCA seem to be so close yet so far.

Caf Champions League results

Group A

KCCA 2-0 Al Ahly

Esperance 4-1 Township Rollers

Table P W D L F A Pts

Esperance 2 1 1 0 4 1 4

Township 2 1 0 1 2 4 3

KCCA 2 1 0 1 2 1 3

Al Ahly 2 0 1 1 0 2 1

Next fixtures, July 17

Esperance vs KCCA

Al Ahly vs Township Rollers