Kampala City Council head coach Mike Mutebi has decided to retain the same team that played against Bright Stars over the weekend for their visit to Simba FC at Bombo in Uganda Premier League this evening.
The team heads into this crucial tie with neither of established starterd Godfrey Ssembatya, Lawrence Kasadha, Hassan Wasswa Dazo, Timothy Awany, Hakim Ssenkumba, Martin Mpuga and Ronald Kikonyogo returning from injury. Instead striker Herman Wasswa (groin) joining the sick bay.
Elsewhere for the Kasisiro boys, Benjamin Ochan returns in goal, Richard Ayiko, Habib Kavuma, Joseph Ochaya and Saka Mpima line up in the defence.
Ivan Ntege, Paul Mucereezi, and, Muzamir Mutyaba, Jackson Nunda man the midfield while Nigerian import Akinyemi Sulaimon and Derrick Nsibambi will hunt for the goals.
KCCA easily beat Simba 2-1 in the first round last year but since then a lot of water has passed under the bridge with then head coach Morley Byekwaso facing the sack among others.
Mutebi’s side still lead the league table by 51 points from 26 games – nine ahead of second placed Vipers who play minnows SCVU on the same afternoon.
According to the former Uganda Cranes coach, the Simba FC match is the biggest game for the club this season.
Forget the Vipers SC game on Friday that many have labeled the title decider, the manager insists that the result from the game at Bombo will have a huge bearing on the title tilt.
“Simba, like The Saints FC, are fighting for their lives and will do anything to win the match. Historically they have stood up against KCCA and they will carry that belief into the game. We must play our best football against them if we are to make a lasting title statement,” Mutebi who once coached the army side told the club website on Tuesday.
He adds that matches between the big sides tend to be defensive and cautious yet the ones against the perceived minor teams open up.
“Every team that plays against us wants to win to make headlines so we are not going to be complacent at all. I have a strong belief that the available fit players will do the job for us to return with happiness and a feel of champions,” the manager emphasized.
