KCCA FC starts life under the guidance of interim head coach Jackson Magera, this follows the departure of Sergio Daniel Moniz Traguil.

The Kasasiro Boys take the search for their maiden victory to NEC FC. The two sides will lock horns in a Uganda Premier League tie at MTN Omondi Stadium in Lugogo on Thursday.

KCCA will hope to end NEC FC’s perfect streak at home that has seen them register two victories at Lugogo.

They beat Busoga United 5-0 before registering a 2-0 victory against UPDF FC. The other victory was against Mbarara City in the league opener while their only loss came against SC Villa.

Despite being newcomers, NEC FC have enjoyed quite a decent start in the top tier league and KCCA will have to set up a good plan to break them down.

In a pre-match presser ahead the clash, Magera revealed that a positive mentality will give them a victory against NEC FC.

“Our big assignment as coaches is to try and boast the player’s mentality so that they get us out of this hard time,” Magera noted.

“NEC FC is a good team. They have a better momentum after winning three games so the game will not be easy at all but we have to take maximum points,” he added.

“They have a very physical squad and we know it but we have to be mobile and not fall into their trap. We badly need the win and we shall do all it takes to ensure that we create some stability.”

Head to head

The two sides have never met in any league encounter and this will be the first time they take on each other. However, during the pre-season, they played a trial game and KCCA won 2-0.

Team News

The game comes too early for KCCA FC captain Julius Poloto who recently started his rehabilitation process. Herbert Achai and Usama Arafat return to the squad after missing the last encounter due to fitness levels.

Muhammad Shaban has recently recovered from a fever and will require a late test to tell his fate.

Derrick Ochan and Moses Waiswa will keep out as they complete their suspension.

• Uganda Premier League
• Friday, October 20, 2023
• Kitara FC 3-1 KCCA FC

Kitara Football Club beat KCCA Football Club 3-1 in the Uganda Premier League at Masindi Stadium on Friday evening.

It was the fourth loss for KCCA after earlier falling to BUL FC, Maroons FC and Express FC. The poor run ultimately creates tension in the Lugogo camp.

In the 24th minute, Paddy Muhumuza was introduced to replace Solomon Okwalinga who was stretched off due to an injury.

Eufranio Cungulo’s sweet delivery was nodded away by Kitara’s skipper Maxwell Owachgiu to deny Muhammad Shaban who was waiting on the far end.

A minute later, defender Peter Magambo found himself in an unfamiliar place remaining with a keeper to beat but Kitara’s custodian Chrispus Kusiima rushed off his line to make a big save.

With a minute left to play in the first half, Living Kabon gave the Royals the lead after being set up by Donato Okello.

Four minutes into the second stanza, Paul Mucureezi doubled the hosts’ lead with a well-curled free kick to further punish his former paymasters.

KCCA had a chance to pull one back but Emmanuel Loki failed to perfectly connect with Hassan Mubiru’s cross with a goal at his disposal.

On top of the hour, Kitara made a double change calling off Brian Aheebwa and Mucureezi to be replaced by Denis Omendi and Jude Ssemugabi.

In the 67th minute, Omedi had a chance to extend the lead but his last touch was too heavy thus giving possession to KCCA’s custodian Juma Mutebi.

In added time, Omendi extended the lead to three after a low hard shot went past Mutebi and the home fans went crazy.

Late as the game was winding, Brazilian forward Joao Gabriel gave KCCA a consolation through a freekick.

The victory sends Kitara FC to 12 points while KCCA continue to languish at the bottom of the log with no point.

How they lined up

Kitara FC XI: Chrispas Kusiima (GK), Maxwell Owachgiu, Jasper Aheebwa, Ibrahim Magandaazi, Benjamin Nyakoojo, Donato Okello, Frank Tumwesigye, Paul Mucureezi, Solomon Okwalinga, Living Kabon, Brian Aheebwa, Solomon Okwalinga

KCCA FC XI: Juma Mutebi (GK), Filbert Obenchan, Rogers Atube, Peter Magambo, Mustafa Kizza, Joel Sserunjogi, Eufranio Cungulo, Saidi Mayanja, Emmanuel Loki, Muhammad Shaban, Etienne Katenga, Emmanuel Loki UPL:

Forward Emmanuel Peter Loki is the most recent addition to KCCA FC’s roster, but he comes with lofty goals.

Loki announced to the press during a pre-match news conference that he would go to any length to make his contribution to the club’s recovery.

“I have found the club caught up in a poor run but am here to see that we work hard and get it back to winning ways.

“I am glad that am going to make my debut for the best club in Africa. I will do all it takes to fight for the badge and try to get better results,” he added.

The Kasasiro Boys have lost all three games in the Uganda Premier League and are looking to snap their losing streak.

Today, KCCA will face table leaders Kitara FC at Masindi Stadium in a must-win game as they try to find a way out of the dark tunnel.

“We need the three points, I have settled in easily so it will be easy for me to work with my teammates to get the job done.

“I am at ease and find myself so confident to be at this club,” he concluded.

With three games played in the 2023/24 Uganda Premier League season, KCCA sits 14th on the 16-team log.

Uganda Premier League | Friday Fixtures

• Kitara FC vs KCCA FC
• BUL FC vs Maroons FC 
• NEC FC vs UPDF FC
• Vipers SC vs Villa SC

KCCA FC have had a worrying start to the 2023-24 Uganda Premier League campaign with three consecutive losses in the games played so far.

The poor harvest has created a lot of discussions on what could be the reasons behind the poor run but no conclusion has been reached.

While they still search for a way out of the mess, KCCA will play table leaders Kitara FC at Masindi Stadium on Friday, October 20th.

Portuguese gaffer Sergio Traguil says enough is enough and it is now the perfect time to get back on to the right path.

“It is time to step up and bring responsibility to ourselves,” Sergio said in the pre-match conference before adding; “We are men, so we have to change things right away.”

“It is time to show Uganda what this club means. There is no required result apart from winning. We shall no longer have home and away games because we need all points.”

It will now not matter how they pick the maximum points on the road but rather do all it takes to finally get off the mark.

“What matters now is only winning. We know our mistakes, most of them have been silly but we have worked on them and I hope the boys will respond.”

“We need to change some things in our game. Our attacking line has to be more lethal but also the backline should tighten up,” he concluded.

Team News

Emmanuel Peter Loki will be seeking his debut since he made the travelling squad to Mansindi. Also, Anthony Emojong returns from injury and is expected to go directly in between the sticks.

Midfielder Emmanuel Waiswa and goalkeeper Derrick Ochan will not feature in the game since they are serving their suspension according to reports.

Head to Head

The two sides have met twice in the top-tier league and KCCA has won both registering 6-2 and 4-0 victories. 

• Uganda Premier League | Results
• KCCA 1-2 Express FC

KCCA Football Club suffered the third loss of the 2023/24 Uganda Premier League campaign in as many games played.

Express Football Club beat the Kasasiro 2-1 at MTN Omondi Stadium on Sunday.

However, it was KCCA that got the first chance. Muhammad Shaban came close with a flying header but could not get into contact with Bruno Adilson’s darling cross six minutes into the game.

KCCA FC goalkeeper Derrick Ochan rushed off his line to clear a loose ball from Peter Magambo.

In the 22nd minute, Express took the lead through Derrick Ngobi jumped highest to node home Isma Kawawulo’s corner at the near post. KCCA’s defenders could have done better to clear the ball but Ngobi was so quick.

Ten minutes later, Muhammad Shaban levelled matters for KCCA with a header steps away from the line. Usama Arafat’s delivery off his weaker foot was inch perfect before Muhammad well-weighed his finish.

In the last five minutes of the first stanza, Express upped their game, Andrew Kawooya and Isaac Wagoina came close but Ochan made stellar saves including scooping the ball off the line.

KCCA came close to taking the lead through substitute Ettiene Katenga whose attempt rattled off the frame before Arafat Usama failed to score from the rebound in the 73rd minute.

Isaac Wagoina restored the visitor’s lead through a bouncing header that beat Ochan as the backline looked on.

Next, KCCA will travel to Masindi to play Kitara FC in yet another tricky game on Friday, October, 20.

Later on Saturday, Express will host Bright Stars at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku.

Starting XIs

KCCA XI:Derick Ochan (GK), Peter Magambo, Musitafa Mujuzi, Cungulo Gui, Bruno Adilson, Mustafa Kizza, Moses Waiswa, Joel Sserunjogi, Kizza Arafat Usama, Elvis Mwanje, Muhammad Shaban

Express XI: Abdul Kimera (GK), Arthur Kiggundu, Derrick Ngobi, Alpha Thiery Ssali, Andrew Kawooya, Isaac Wagoina, Jonathan Aguocha, Ramz Kawooya, Isma Kawawulo, Hussein Ssenoga, Isa Lumu

KCCA Football Club head coach Sergio Traguil has called upon his troops to fight and turn the tables around starting with the Kampala Derby against Express.

The past weeks have been tough for any KCCA faithful since they were eliminated from the CAF Confederation Cup and also lost two league opening games.

While speaking to the press ahead of the Express Football Club fixture, the Portuguese tactician believes it’s the perfect platform for his charges to turn to a positive page.

“Derbies are always crucial but for us, it’s the perfect time to turn the tables around,” Sergio emotionally said.

“We did not have the perfect start to the season but now it is the time for us to prove our worth and show the world what we’ve been preparing all the time,” he added.

“We have to change everything. We have to create a winning mentality. It’s upon us and we have to carry ourselves from this situation to where we belong because we have all it takes.”

Lack of consistency

It’s now becoming a song in Sergio’s press conferences that the team makes avoidable mistakes that can only be curbed by consistency.

The Portuguese gaffer revealed that his side is made up of mainly young players who ought to get guidance from more senior players.

“We are not far from where we belong. I think we only need to rectify the few mistakes earlier witnessed in the just concluded games. We need to bring more maturity into the team so as to create some balance.”

“No matter what people say, we are on the right path. We are playing very good football, we have to achieve good things using our true identity. We only have to accept where we are so that we take on the responsibility,” he further noted.

In the last five meetings between the two sides, KCCA has won one in the form of a 3-0 victory while the other four meetings have been stalemates.

• Uganda Premier League | Results
• Tuesday, October 3, 2023
• KCCA FC 1-2 Maroons FC

Maroons FC beat KCCA FC 2-1 in the Uganda Premier League at MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo on Tuesday evening.

It was salt into KCCA’s wounds who were recently knocked out of the CAF Confederation Cup on Saturday.

The game started at a slow pace as most of the action got down in the middle park without either side committing upfront.

Fred Amaku’s cool touch steps away from the goal line placed the Prison Wardens in the driving seat.

Abraham Tusubira laid a great pass in David Ndihabwe’s way, the captain threaded a shot on goal that was palmed back into play by goalkeeper Juma Mutebi and Amaku was quick to place the ball home.

Six minutes to the end of the first stanza, KCCA came close as Usama Arafat saw his low hard effort fully gripped by Maroons custodian Amir Nalugoda.

As the end of the first half was looming, Muhammad Shaban levelled matters with a touch squeezing through after a mix-up in Maroons box.

Six minutes into the second half, Nalugoda was called to action to make a save punching away Abubaker Mayanja’s fine-flying header off Moses Waiswa’s flick.

As the second stanza went on, the Kasasiro Boys knitted together some fine short and long passes but could not find the defence-splitting pass to find the target.

In the 70th minute, the ball bounced off Fredrick Kigozi’s hand in the dangerous area and Shamirah Nabadda pointed at the spot. Usama Arafat stepped up to the occasion but his effort bounced off the frame and went out.

With nine minutes to play, Amaku restored the visitors’ lead with another close finish. Kigozi brought in a great cross and defender Patrick Bayiga latched on it, Mutebi tried to save the effort but it fell onto Amaku’s foot and he guided it home.

The victory took Maroons to seven points in three games while KCCA is pointless with two losses in two games played so far.

The Uganda Premier League secretariat has rescheduled the game between KCCA FC and Express FC.

The fixture was meant to be played on Matchday One of the 2023/24 campaign but it was not honoured since KCCA had a game in the CAF Confederation Cup.

However, according to the document released by the UPL secretariat, the game will be played on Sunday, October 8 at the MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo.

“SUPL Match 8 KCCA FC vs Express FC was not played on matchday one due to KCCA FC participation in the CAF Confederation Cup,” partly reads the statement released by the UPL secretariat.

“The said match has been scheduled and will be played on Sunday, October 8, 2023, at 3:00 pm at MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo.”

It will be the third game for the Kasasiro Boys who have so far played against BUL FC and later today play Maroons FC at Lugogo.

It will take less than 48 hours for KCCA to return on the green in the Uganda Premier League at MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo.

After failing to qualify for the CAF Confederation group stages, KCCA FC will play Maroons in the second league game on Tuesday, October 3.

Speaking at the press conference, KCCA FC head coach Sergio Traguil expressed readiness saying there is no time to cry after spilt milk.

“There is no time to mourn. We have to now think of moving forward,” he said before adding; “It’s time to turn to our biggest objective and that is the league.”

The Kasasiro Boys beat Abu Salem 3-2 but it was not enough to guide them past the Libyan side. Sergio reveals the players are still emotionally down but they will eventually get over it.

“It’s not easy to have just two days to put everything together but we shall try to work on recovery. We shall make sure we do everything to get ready.

“It has been a mix of feelings because they felt they would have done better. They know they could go further more so after the second match.

“We lost the tie (5-4 on aggregate) in the first game. We had the quality to be there (group stages) but instead made it easy for the opponent,” he stressed.

The Portuguese stressed the need to win the league so that they are capable of achieving the biggest objective of the league.

“We have to win the league no matter the challenge. So the boys are very ready for the game. We have talked about it before and am sure they know.

“They know the importance of winning the league this season. We have set our target and we now want to plan how we can achieve going forward.

“Maroons are a very good game. We expect a tough game but it will be so easy if we choose to do the right things thus keeping away from silly mistakes.”

Last season, KCCA picked just a point from the possible six in the tough tie against the Prison Wardens.

KCCA FC head coach Sergio Traguil has called upon the Kasasiro faithful to keep calm and be patient with the building process as the team seeks to return to its glory days.

Sergio said he understands the disappointment due to missing out on the ticket to the CAF Confederation Cup group stage but the Portuguese gaffer promised that the team will get better.

On Saturday, September 30, KCCA FC defeated Abu Salem 3-2 in the return leg after losing 3-1 in the first. The final score was 5-4 on aggregate to give Abu Salem the qualification ticket.

“I cannot blame them because we are just building something,” Sergio said. “It’s a building process and I request everyone to be patient. We have to guide these players and give them confidence.

“Having such a youth squad will put us in such situations. If we play for important things, it will require consistency, yet these boys still lack that. We could have done better in the two games, especially in the game played in Tunisia. In the game played at home, we hardly handled ourselves in the best manner.”

Sergio highlighted the team’s inability to keep consistently doing the right things and also avoid making silly and avoidable mistakes.

“We made very many silly mistakes that made the work easy for Abu Salem. Besides the team is young but they (Abu Salem) have experienced players and it was the edge. We have to be stronger to deal with this kind of situation because if we cannot handle the pressure here, we cannot get to the top.

“I cannot blame them because we are just building something. It’s a building process and we have to be patient. We have to guide these players and give them confidence. We have to build a good mentality, in football, the brain does a lot because it helps to either make the right or wrong decisions. We shall pick the lessons and make ourselves a better side,” he concluded.

Just like 2020, it was so close yet so far when AS Kigali eliminated KCCA FC, who had won the return match.

KCCA will have to return to the drawing board and try again living them with the hope of trying again next year.

The Lugogo-based side will return to action on Tuesday, October 2 as they host Maroons FC in the Uganda Premier League at MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo.