KCCA FC and African Stars FC shall face off in the second leg of the CAF Champions League qualifiers at Startimes Stadium, Lugogo on Friday 23rd August at 4 pm.
KCCA possess two crucial away goals they scored in Namibia despite losing 3-2 to African Stars. But there is plenty of reason to smile for the Kasasiro boys as the team will be welcoming back four players to the team.
Two players, Gift Ali and Achai Herbert that travelled to Namibia for the first leg but did not play due to sickness have returned in time to face African Stars.
Muzamiru Mutyaba, Kizza Mustafa and Jackson Nunda have also returned from injury and are part of the 18-man squad to face the Namibian side.
Speaking to www.kccafc.co.ug, KCCA FC’s Gaffer Mike Mutebi had this to say about the returnees,
Mike Mutebi on players returning from injuries.
All the returnees participated in buildup games this week and are ready for the challenge. They looked sharp and ready to play.
KCCA FC will be without striker Kaddu Patrick who scored in the first leg but has since moved to RS Berkane for professional football.
We shall miss the services of Kaddu but we have an able replacement in Sadat Anaku a teenager who is hungry for goals. We have given him the responsibility and we trust he will deliver.
To boost the attack will be Mike Mutyaba and Allan Okello who featured in the first leg despite both being withdrawn later in the game.
In the squad is teenage defender Musa Ramathan who did not travel for the first leg but will be hoping to earn a place in the starting lineup.
The last time KCCA FC played at this stage, they were winners against CNaPS from Madagascar and went on to beat Ethiopia’s St George to qualify for the group stages.
In the pre match press conference held at Startimes Stadium, Lugogo on Thursday, these were the reactions from African Stars FC’s representatives,
Mohammad Fargo – African Stars FC Coach.
We are here to seal this. We have an advantage over KCCA because we won the first leg. We arrived in Uganda early enough and are well prepared. We are ready to give the hosts a very good game. We know about their home record but in football that does not count much.
The African Stars captain Uanivi Pat-Nevilles had this to say about the tie;
Uanivi Pat-Nevilles – African Stars FC Captain
We conceded an early goal in the first leg which was an own goal. We have worked on our concentration and hopefully we can keep the advantage. What happened in Windhoek was the first half and now the match in Kampala is the second half. We want to win it.
On the other hand, hosts KCCA FC’s Gaffer was buoyant about the team’s chances of qualifying to the next round;
Mike Mutebi – KCCA FC’s Manager
We know what we have to do as a team. We shall play our way despite the need to win the game. We are happy that Kizza, Achai, Gift, Muzamiru are back and ready to play. Our opponents love to attack and this is the football we love. I anticipate a good game for the fans.
Teenage sensation Allan Okello had this to say about the game against African Stars FC;
Allan Okello – KCCA FC’s forward
We want to bounce back. We have prepared well and we hope to win so that we qualify to the next round. Every player on the team knows they have to give their very best. We respect our opponents but we want to show this by playing a good game and hopefully we will win.
KCCA FC trail 3-2 but a 1-0 win can get them to the next round.
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