League Defending champions KCCA FC have embarked on an eight-hour trip to the West Nile town of Arua for the first time since the 2007/8 season when that travelled to play Edioffe Hills. Unfortunately the side was relegated! The same team that unveiled KCCA FC star Ceasar Okhuti.
That season KCCA FC went on to win the title!
Hosts Onduparaka have not lost an official match at home this year at the Greenlight stadium (to be renamed Betway Greenlight stadium on Friday) while the league giants are the only unscratched team after the three match days this season.
The caterpillars have so far picked only two points out of the nine available with a barren draw in the opening day against Soana and a one all draw at Wankulukuku with Express on Tuesday. Cranes trialist Rashid Toha scored the equaliser and first goal of the season for the Arua side.
This tie will be the first for the team to present a full technical bench in front of their home fans with Leo Adraa as head coach deputised by Livingston Mbabazi and Moses Oloya.
Adraa knows the weight of the task ahead but rallies his boys to maintain calm and fans to come in numbers to support the team.
“We are ready for the match and request our fans to come out in numbers and rally behind us,” he said
In history, The Caterpillars have drawn twice with topflight clubs at home; a one all with URA FC in a friendly last year and the barren draw with Soana. They beat same team 1-0 in Uganda cup.
For this reason, Coach Mike Ray Mutebi and his assistant Morley Byekwaso are taking nothing for chance. The team travelled to Arua on Wednesday.
“We need those three points, and we have to do whatever it takes to get them,” Byekwaso told club media.
“We know Onduparaka is a stubborn side and their ground is not an easy one to visit. But the boys are prepared well physically, they are mentally strong and we pray everyone is in shape on match day.”
Coach Leo Adraa will rely a lot on his attack line that includes Muhammad Shabaan, Ceasar Olega and Gadaffi Gadinho to execute the duty.
KCCA FC have a variety of men to watch especially UPL MVP Joseph Ochaya who has so far netted twice same as experienced marksman Geoffrey Sserunkuma.
Possible lineups.
Adraa has only one injury scare of Ibrahim faizol who will have to pass a late fitness test with Emmanuel olinga ready to replace.
Onduparaka: Richard Anyama, Adriko gasper, Saddam Norman, Toha Rashid, Akram Kakembo, Ibrahim Faizal, Ivan Mbowa, Gadaffi Gadinho, Kaboni Living, Shaban Muhammed, Gaddafi Wahab.
KCCA FC: Ochan Benjamin, Okot Denis, Ochaya Joseph, Awany Timothy, martin Mpuuga, Mutyaba Muzamiru, Akinyemi Sulaimon, Ntege Ivan, Majwega Brian, Sserunkuuma Geoffrey, Kayizzi Vincent