CAF Champions League
African Stars vs KCCA FC
Nam Nujoma Stadium, Windhoek
Saturday, 10-08-2019 @4pm
KCCA FC will be hoping for a positive result when they take on Namibian champions African Stars in the CAF Champions League on Saturday afternoon.
The Kasasiros who are away from home for the first leg had issues with their connection flight from South Africa but are now understood to be settled in and ready for the clash.
Last season, they had a disappointing continental campaign, failing to reach the group stages of the confederations cup.
Having received a bye in the preliminary stages, Mike Mutebi’s side took care of Tanzania’s Mtibwa Sugar 5-1 on aggregate to reach the playoff round.
In the playoffs, KCCA would fall to Congo’s Otoho Doyo. Having lost 3-0 in the first leg, Mutebi’s side won the second 2-0, losing 3-2 on aggregate in the end.
In the Champions League, KCCA FC’s last appearance came in 2018 when they reached the lucrative group stages of the competition.
In the initial stages, they eliminated CNaPS and Kedus Giorgis in the preliminary and first-round respectively.
However, they were overpowered by Al Ahly and Esperance in Group A, finishing third and bowing out.
With back to back continental experience in the bag, the Kasasiros are expected to take care of African Stars. However, head coach Mike Mutebi expects a difficult game.
“We have to be at our best so as to progress to the next round, noted Mutebi before the game.
“They may not be a big name team but can hurt us so we have to be careful.
“All in all, we have the quality to take care of them, starting with the first leg on Saturday.
KCCA FC will be without the experienced Timothy Awany who has departed the club and signed for Ashdod FC in Israel. Allan Kyambadde is also not part of the team as he finalizes his transfer to Egyptian side El Gouna.
Julius Poloto is still recovering from a longterm injury and did not travel with the team.
African Stars are attempting to reach their first-ever CAF Champions’ League group stage.
They attempted last year but failed in the first round.
In the preliminary round, they eliminated Volcan Club 2-1 on aggregate before falling to South Africa’s Orlando Pirates in the first round.
African Stars enter into the contest as underdogs but will take inspiration from Otoho’s shock of the Kasasiros in the Confederations Cup last season.
Match Facts
This will be the first-ever meeting between the two sides.
African Stars have lost only one of their four games in the Champions League (W1 D2).
At home, they have won one and lost the other of their two games so far.
For KCCA FC, they enter into the contest having lost three of their last four champion’s league games.
However, at home, Mutebi’s side has lost only one of their last 8 games (W6 D1).
