Kampala Capital City Authority Football Club (KCCA FC) successfully defended the Uganda Premier League championship with two games to the end of the season after a 2-0 victory against Lweza at Phillip Omondi stadium on Tuesday.
The victory meant KCCA FC won the 2016/17 league title, the 12th in their history and the 3rd time they are winning it back to back.
Chimp Reports’ Joel Muyita points out 10 factors he thinks helped KCCA FC win the championship.
1- Management
Ask me a properly administered football club in Uganda and I will show you KCCA FC. From having a think tank(club board ) that is committed to see that the team grows stronger to a functional secretariat that carryout the day to day running of the club, KCCA FC have exhibited good administration.
2- The Manager
Love or loathe him, Mike Hillary Mutebi is a man of his word. Principled as the word comes, he is been a key factor in as far as retaining the league title is concerned. Not so many coaches in the league are committed to their jobs as Mutebi. His prowess does not only end on pitch but stretches to being a team manager who is always thinking about improving the team technically. And it would not be an overstatement to say, Mutebi is the best local manager at the moment.
3- Financial Muscle
You would struggle to find a team that is financially motivated in the league as KCCA FC. Besides being an institutional club, they have positioned themselves well to attract sponsors such as Star times, Prime Media and Britam Insurance.
It is not surprising that Star times renewed their sponsorship deal with KCCA FC to the tune of UGX 3.2 billion.
Therefore KCCA FC have been stable throughout the season in terms of paying players’ salaries and allowances while majority of the other clubs in the league have continued to struggle.
4-Player Transfer
KCCA FC comfortably did the best transfer business of the title challengers at the start of the season. Mike Mutebi identified the positions he needed to fill and the club moved quickly and decisively.
Geoffrey Sserunkuma, Isaac Kirabira, Isaac Muleme and Robert Ssentongo among others came with experience which has helped them retain the league.
5- Geoffrey Serunkuuma
The championship has Serunkuuma’s name written all over it. At his age (33 years), he is a true example of the adage ” old is gold.”
20 goals in a season is no small feat. In fact, he becomes the first player in 8 years to score 20+ goals in a single campaign. Peter Ssenyonjo (then at Police FC) scored 22 goals in 2008/09 season.
6- Depth in squad
KCCA FC have one of the best squads in the league balancing experience with fresh blood. From the goalkeeping department, to defence, midfield and strikers, the team is balanced and that has been a key factor.
Even when some players have struggled with injuries and form, the replacements have ably played to the expectations.
7- Inconsistent chasing park
KCCA FC have almost competed against themselves with the chasing lot being poor and inconsistent. Even when SC Villa came within breathing distance, they later on crushed. Vipers, URA FC and Express have all blown hot and cold.
8- Making Phillip Omondi stadium a fortress
No team has garnered points at home like KCCA FC. The champions elect have so far collected 39 points in 14 home games making Phillip Omondi stadium a fortress. The only loss came against Vipers last month.
9- Stability in Coaching staff
Of the 16 teams in the league, 11 ha e made changes in the coaching staff with only 5 sticking to the coaches that began the season.
This has helped Mutebi to express his ideas hence helping the team remain stable.
10- Playing on the continent
KCCA FC have improved a lot in terms of game approach, understanding of the game and being battle hardened after exposure on the continent.
The players have rubbed shoulders with the best teams on the continent like Mamelodi Sundowns and this has helped them to grow in confidence.