By Brian Kawalya
CAF CONFEDERATIONS CUP FIXTURE
Zesco vs Smouha
Sfaxien vs Mbabane Swallows
FUS Rabat vs KCCA FC
Uganda Premier League champions KCCA go into their first Caf Confederations Cup group stage match with Moroccan side FUS Rabat but the Ugandan giants will be without a number of regular faces due to suspensions and injuries.
The Lugogo based side come into Saturday’s encounter at the back of a 2-0 victory against Lweza in the local league that saw them win their 12th league title with two games to spare and this has given Coach Mike Mutebi some hope that his players can pick a positive result in Rabat;
“We have trained these players to believe in themselves and we are preparing them to approach the game with a lot of tactical discipline because itis important if we pick a result from Morocco ” Mutebi told the club’s official website.
KCCA, who are participating in the group stage of the continental showpiece for the first time, eliminated Egypt’s El Masry 4-3 on penalties after both legs ended in identical 1-0 win and the club was pooled in Group A with Moroccan 2016 league champions Fath Union Sport, commonly known as FUS Rabat, Tunisian giants Club Africain and Nigerian minnows Rivers United who were recently formed after a merger between Sharks FC and Dolphins FC in 2016 due to an economic crisis in the West African country.
Did you know?
CAF confederations cup is an equivalent of Europa league in Europe of copaSudamericana in South America.
TEAM NEWS;
- Mike Mutebi will be without Captain Denis Okot and first choice Goalkeeeper ben Ochan who are on suspension.
- Paul Mucureeezi and MuzamirMutyaba are sidelined with injuries, as allanOkello is with Kibulisss in the ongoing Copa Coca Sola schools tournament in Masaka.
- New club signing Saddam Juma, poached from Wankulukuku-based side Express FC, travelled with the club and the midfielder is eligible to play only CAF matches.
EXPECTED LINE UPS
FUS RABAT: El Houash; Mehdi Khalis, SyMandaw, NahiriMohamad, SkoumaAyoub; Fouzani, BoulhradBadr, El Gnaoui, El Bassil; Yusuf Njie and KarimBenarif.
KCCA FC: Charles Lukwago; Paul Musamali, Habibkavuma, Denis Rukundo; brianMajwega, Saddam Juma, Ivan Ntege, Isaac Muleme, Tom Masiko; derrick Nsibambi and GeofferySSerunkuma.
FACT
FUS Rabat has lost their last two matches in the league; Hassamia Agadir 2-1 FUS rabat, Kawkab Marrakech 1-0 Fusrabat
PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Yusuf NJIE (FUS Rabat)
Njie is a Gambian striker aged 23, he is a tricky and quick player with an eye for a goal.
He scored a vital away goal for FUS Rabat as they knocked out Magreb Fez in a 1-1 draw to win the tie on 3-2 aggregate. HabibKavuma must be warned in adavance.
- Ibrahim Saddam Juma (KCCA)
Juma is expected to have his debut in the absence of Paul Mucureezi and MuzamirMutyaba. Juma will carry the weight of linking the midfield with the forwards and his creativity will be a major key.
The midfield maestro will don jersey 23 recently won by Joseph Ochaya and Brian Umony.
Mike Mutebi believes that Juma’s addition will be of a great use and his integration with fellow teammates won’t be difficult.
“He’s an intelligent player; he knows how the game has to be played with most of these players in affirmative age when growing up so they know each other, its not going to be difficult for him to fit in,” Mutebi said of his new recruit.
