Kampala Capital City Authority Football Club (KCCA FC) picked a vital point off Mbarara City in the Azam Uganda Premier League tie played at Kakyeka Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
A plus leading into the game was the friendly evening sunny weather to surprise of many who had anticipated a heavy downpour moments before kick off.
It’s wasn’t good news in the KCCA FC camp though as custodian Charles Lukwago got an infection hours before game time.
Benjamin Ochan replaced him and proved that he hadn’t lost much for the time he had been out of the starting team.
Striker Patrick Kaddu also returned to the team and led the line alongside Allan Oryek, the duo troubled Mbarara City’s Defense but failed to find a breakthrough.
The five man midfield of Issac Kirabira, Allan Kateregga, Muzamir Mutyaba, Isaac Muleme and Paul Mucureezi failed to operate freely due to the bumpy Kakyeka pitch.
To be more competitive, KCCA FC resorted to the aerial balls, but the mean Mbarara defense was up to the challenge as they cleared every ball that got to their defense like their lives depended on it.
On the other end of the pitch, Ochan commanded his defense well, Timothy Awany, Mustafa Kizza and Filbert Obenchan barely put a foot wrong.
Even when it looked like Mbarara had found a breakthrough, the trio somehow recovered to clear their lines for the entire 90 minutes.
The manager replaced Oryek with Derrick Nsibambi before the second half could start to pile more pressure on the Mbarara defense.
Saddam Juma also came on for Kaddu before Allan Okello replaced Kateregga, still for some reason KCCA FC could do little to make it count in the final third.
It’s a result that the champions hadn’t worked for but one that will be welcomed with open arms especially after picking it from one of the toughest ground in the league this season.
At 23 points, KCCA FC are now four points behind log leaders SC Villa as the league takes a two weeks break to give room for the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup which starts on December 3-17 in kenya.
KCCA FC starting XI: Benjamin Ochan, Filbert Obenchan, Mustafa Kizza, Timothy Awany, Isaac Kirabira, Muzamir Mutyaba, Allan Kateregga (Allan Okello), Paul Mucureezi, Isaac Muleme, Kaddu Patrick (Sadam Juma), Allan Oryek (Derrick Nsibambi)
Unused substitutes: Jamail Malyamungu, Denis Okot, Habib Kavuma, Ibrahim Wamannah