Despite a huge year ahead for KCCA, they have decided not to go to the market in window but promote from their Junior side.
On Thursday, the Kasasiro, who will represent Uganda in the CAF Champions League promoted six players from their youth set up to the senior side.
Allan Okello, Herbert Achai, Noel Nasasira and Mustafa Kizza were unveiled to the press at Phillip Omondi stadium, Lugogo.
Julius Poloto, who was promoted last year but failed to make a breakthrough also graduated again as well as Peter Magambo.
“We are very pleased as a club that in a period of two years since the inauguration of the U-17 tournament by FUFA, we have been able to promote eight players from our development side,” said Coach Mike Mutebi.
That’s not easy for a top club, not even at top clubs in Europe but because our strategy was well thought out when FUFA put this project in place, we thought we could use this intervention to develop players.
The soft spoken tactician, who guided the Lugogo side to their 11th title last season paid tribute to the academy coaches, Jackson Magera and Richard Malinga for the job well done with the boys.
Like I have always said, we haven’t constructed stars in this country but always buying potential, not stars, not ready made material. We have managed to graduate 8 players from our development side which is wonderful thanks to coaches who handle them – Jackson Magera and Richard Malinga. Already in the first team, we have Lawrence Bukenya and Ronald Kikonyongo who we have loaned to The Saints.
The Kasasiro have lost midfielders Hakim Ssenkumba (loan to Police), Ronald Musana (Kenya), defenders Martin Mpuuga and Paul Willa (loan to Police) but have gone for youth.
KCCA open the second round of the AUPL with a home date against Bul on February 7th with most of these youngsters expected to make their debuts.