Kampala Capital City Authority football club (KCCA FC) head coach Mike Mutebi is optimistic playing more games in continental engagements will help his team grow in confidence.
Mutebi stated this after KCCA FC eliminated Egyptian side Al Masry on Saturday 4-3 on penalties to book a berth to the group stage of the Total CAF Confederation Cup.
The principled tactician noted that it is important for his team to advance to the group stage because it helps the players to get experience and thus grow in confidence.
“I’m delighted that we managed to make it to the group stages of the Total CAF Confederation Cup. I believe the continent will help the players grow and have more experience. The belief that they have rubbed shoulders with the best teams gives them more confidence and to me that is important,” he told the club website.
However, Mutebi believes the growth should be gradual from satisfying on the domestic domain and later on put up a team that will ably compete on the continent.
You do not jump, you start by walking so the emphasis is to try and retain the league title and perform well in the Uganda cup. Playing on the continent is an additional incentive. Therefore if we continue performing well at home, that will be a foundation for us to play well in CAF engagements,” Mutebi indicated.
KCCA FC became the first Ugandan club to reach the group stages of the Total CAF Confederation Cup since the change of format in 2004.
Goalkeeper Benjamin Ochan was the hero in the shootout saving two penalties while also stepping up to convert the winner as KCCA FC eliminated Al Masry 4-3 on penalties.
Aggregate score over the two legs had ended 1-1 with Ahmed Comma scoring for Al Masry in the return leg to cancel out Derrick Nsibambi’s first leg goal.