UPL: Traguil continues hunt for positive result as KCCA visit in-form Kitara

UPL Match-day 6
Friday, October 20, 2023:
•Kitara Vs KCCA – Masindi
Other games 
•NEC Vs UPDF – Lugogo
•BUL Vs Maroons – Njeru
•Vipers Vs SC Villa – Kitende
Saturday
•URA vs Wakiso Giants – Lugazi
•Express Vs Bright Stars – Wankulukuku

 Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) FC faces a crucial away match against high-flying Kitara FC on Friday as they strive to turn around a series of disappointing performances.

The team’s new Portuguese coach, Sergio Traguil, who recently flew to Europe on compassionate leave, left behind a squad looking to bounce back after a narrow 1-2 loss to rivals Express FC.

Traguil has named the traveling squad, but notable absentees include goalkeeper Derrick Ochan, midfielders Moses Waiswa and Arafat Usama. Ashraf Mugume, Musitafa Mujuzi, and Herbert Achai, all high-profile players, are also missing from the squad.

Goalkeepers Anthony Emojong and Juma Mutebi will be vying for the starting spot, as Traguil previously expressed concerns about lacking a talented custodian. 

The KCCA FC defense, which has already conceded five goals, will be determined to keep the lethal Kitara FC forward line at bay. 

Defenders James Mubeezi, Mustafa Kizza, Peter Magambo, Emilson Gonzaga, Filbert Obenchan, Rogers Atube, and Bruno Adilson have been selected for the task in Masindi.

The midfield consists of Etienne Katenga, Joel Sserunjogi, Saidi Mayanja, Gui Cungulo, Faisal Wabyona, Dominic Ayella, Gabriel Joao, and Hassan Mubiru. 

The on-form striker, Muhammad Shaban, who has already scored two goals in the league, will lead the line in the search for goals. 

South Sudan international Emmanuel Loki will make his KCCA FC debut and youngster Abubakar Mayanja completes the forward options for Traguil.

KCCA’s defensive vulnerability has been evident in their inability to handle late goals resulting from crosses, highlighting poor marking. 

With a negative three goal difference conceding five goals and scoring only twice, the 2019 champions find themselves in the relegation zone alongside Arua Hill FC and Gaddafi FC, both of whom also have a negative goal difference of four.

Acknowledging the team’s mistakes, Traguil noted the need to address them and improve their results in order to get the season back on track.

Taking charge of KCCA since July, Traguil inherited a team that struggled even in the previous season, despite finishing second in the league. 

The club’s style of play has deviated from the tradition of flair and free-flowing football that fans had come to expect under former coach Mike Mutebi.

More still newly appointed KCCA FC chairman Andrew Sserunjogi Mukiibi is confident the club will rise from a poor start in the Startimes Uganda Premier League to challenge for the title.

While meeting the club staff and players at the MTN Omondi Stadium earlier, Sserunjogi revealed that the team is in a ‘marathon’ and can expect success in the end.

“We are building our thing,” he said while addressing the team.

“This is a project. A project is a project, look at it as a marathon now, we are in a marathon,” he added.

As KCCA FC gears up for the challenging encounter against Kitara FC, the team will be under pressure to deliver a positive result and regain the form that once made them a dominant force in Ugandan football.