Opening match KCCA vs Tooro United,
4:30pm
StarTimes stadium, Lugogo Friday
By Denis West
Hours to the Uganda Premier League season kickoff, we take the pleasure to preview all the 16 participating clubs. Herein we start with 12-time league kings KCCA. Enjoy.
The fact that KCCA has already won three trophies in the preseason – Phillip Omondi Invitational, Fufa Super 8 and Super Cup – shows their title intent.
After losing marksmen; Muhammad Shaban and Derrick Nsibambi, charismatic manager Mike Mutebi has shopped for net-busters Musa Esenu, Allan Kyambadde and Suleiman Mutyaba to supplement Patrick Kaddu and Steven Sserwadda in the hunt for goals.
This should be the season that budding midfielders Allan Okello and Julius Poloto should make their major breakthrough.
Yes, the powers of playmakers Muzamir Mutyaba and Jackson Nunda may be diminishing but their experience will be vital in helping KCCA gun for a 13th league title.
KCCA will at some point venture into the Caf Confederations Cup and also bid to retain the Uganda Cup trophy but just know wrestling the league title from Vipers will be Mutebi’s priority.
Manager;
Mike Hillary Mutebi
Key Player; Allan Okello
Last Season position: 2nd
Projected position: 1st
New Signings:
Suleiman Mutyaba (Free) Muwadda Mawejje (Soana) Bernard Muwanga (SC Villa) Allan Kyambadde (SC Villa) Nicholas Kasozi (SC Villa) Musa Esenu (Kirinya-Jinja SS) Gift Abubakar Ali (Proline)
Departures: Paul Mucureezi (Mbarara City) Solomon Okwalinga (Onduparaka) Denis Okot (Onduparaka) Paul Musamali (Buildcon) Habib Kavuma (SC Villa) Derrick Nsibambi (Smouha) Muhammad Shaban (Raja Casablanca)
Award winning journalist and writer who has worked as a stringer for a couple of acclaimed South Africa based German journalists, covered 3 Ugandan elections, 2008 Kenya election crisis, with interests in business and sports reporting.