2017 Total CAF Champions League
March 18th 2017: KCCA FC vs Mamelodi Sundowns
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The first five minutes of the first leg of the Total CAF champions League did give coach Mike Mutebi and KCCA FC a lot of pondering to do.
KCCA FC found themselves a goal down through a header by Bangaly Soumahoro inside two minutes, as the side was still acclimatising to the playing surface of Lucas Moripe Stadium.
Three minutes later , they conceded a penalty which was converted by Ricardo Nascimento who sent Benjamin Ochan the wrong way.
At this point it sunk in that the if the 11 time Ugandan league champions are to advance to the group stages of the competition, they will need to dig deep and ‘wear the club on their sleeves.
And they did exactly that, KCCA FC stepped up defensively and the midfield started to link play from defense to attack.
But that that point Sundowns were comfortable with their lead and much as they kept on pushing bodies forward, nothing came through.
Leading with a lone striker all through in Geoffrey Serunkuuma, KCCA FC needed to be more patient as they stringed passes together going forward.
A second striker in Derrick Nsibambi was introduced for Isaac Kirabira, and it didn’t take long before the former picked Serunkuuma for that all important away goal in the 68th minute.
Serunkumma finished off beautifully by glancing the ball far away from the keeper Wayne Sanilands into the corner of the net. The confidence, belief and character in KCCA FC grew by the minute.
Teenage sensation Allan Okello also made his continental debut as he came on for Serunkuuma with five minutes left on the clock.
The goal was KCCA FC’s 52nd goal of the season in 23 games and their third in the competition.
The return leg in Kampala will be played on Saturday March 18th 2017 at the Philip Omondi Stadium.
If KCCA FC qualifies to the group stages of the CAF Champions League, this will be the first time in the history of Ugandan football
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