CAF Champions league
KCCA FC vs CNaPS Sport
StarTimes Stadium, Lugogo
Wednseday, 04:00pm
KCCA FC will take on Madagascan side CNaPS today in the return leg of the CAF Champions league preliminary rounds at the StarTimes Stadium in Lugogo.
The two time league defending champions’ trial in the fixture after succumbing to a 2-1 loss in Madagascar.
KCCA’s preparation have been nothing short of troubles as they have lost some of their star players to injury.
In their last encounter when they won 2-1 away to Bug league side Simba in the Uganda Cup, the Kasasiro Boys lost both Saddam Juma and Jackson Nunda to injuries which have ruled them.
Julius Poloto and Muzamir Mutyaba are the other notable absentees for the garbage collectors as they await this evening’s tie.
“We are a bit disappointed that some of our players will not be available for the game. Said KCCA FC coach Mike Mutebi, while addressing journalist ahead of the game.
“But we know that we are a strong side and have got a squad full of well-educated players who can step in a get the job done.
“In terms of preparation, I think we have had the best prep we could have asked for and I am sure the boys are all set.
“The game itself is not going to be easy because CNaPS is a team that knows how to use the ball and the fact that they hold a 2-1 advantage from the first leg, they will surely give us a lot of problems.
Mike Mutebi also came out and lauded the influence of Allan Okello and the fact that the team will look to him for inspiration.
“We are lucky that we have a player like Allan Okello in our team. Mutebi said.
“We will be counting on him to unlock their defence and I am sure he will.
KCCA captain Timothy Awanyi also highlighted the importance of the game.
“It is a very important fixture for us as a team because it is the first step to trying and match last season’s performances.
“We lost the first leg 2-1 but since then, we have had a chance to correct the mistakes we made in that game and hopefully we will execute our play better.
KCCA FC head into the fixture with a superb home record that has seen them not lose a continental game since March 2014 when Nkana Red Devils of Zambia came out 2-1 winners in Lugogo.
In that period, KCCA has won six of the seven games they have played, drawing 1-1 with Mamelodi Sundowns in the other.
CNaPS enjoyed their last visit to East Africa when they defeated Gor Mahia of Kenya 2-1 but that is their only away victory in their last six games that have seen them lose five matches.
Both teams progressed passed this round last year as KCCA eliminated Angolan side Clube Desportivo Primeiro de Agosto and CNaPS saw off Township Rollers of Botswana.
The winner of this fixture takes on the team victorious between St George of Ethiopia and South Sudan’s Al-Saalam Wau.
