Caf Champions League
Saturday, Feb 10, preliminary round
CNaPS vs KCCA
Mahamasina Municipal Stadium
Ugandan champions KCCA arrive in Antananarivo, Madagascar without injured midfielder Muzamir Mutyaba, and with last season’s talisman Geoffrey Sserunkuma (Buildcon, Zambia) long gone.
They face hosts CNaPS Sport on Saturday in the first leg preliminary of the Caf Champions League looking to making the group stage of the continent’s prime club competition for the first time.
But even with far less experience as compared to last campaign when Sserunkuma (six goals), Mutyaba and Benjamin Ochan, who has since fallen out of favour, guided KCCA to the group stage of the Caf Confederation Cup for the first time ever, manager Mike Mutebi is confident.
Mutebi believes now is the time for the youngsters to step up, with talented teenager Allan Okello, who played bit-part role on the continent last season, the boy he is looking at mainly to offer the creative spark.
“The young players like Okello, Julius Poloto, Mustapha Kizza and Lawrence Bukenya were not the first among equals last campaign but now they have grown to take on the mantle,” said Mutebi.
Okello marshalled the midfield against Police pretty well in KCCA’s final trial match, scoring twice 4-1 victory at Lugogo.
“Okello is the best creative player in the league and he is going to help us play our way in Madagascar,” added Mutebi, “The good thing our opponents want to play and we shall take the game to them.”
Okello is equally unfazed by the moment, and stage. “The coach has showed trust in me and I hope to score in that match.”
CNaPS Sport are leading the league log back home and have won the national championship a record six times.
They are synonymous with ‘French-playing’ style. That will call for KCCA to be at their optimum best if they are to get an away result.