)
That will be KCCA’s first stern test of the second round and head coach Morley Byekwaso expects nothing but a tough encounter.
The last time KCCA FC were in action, Emmanuel Loki scored for Bright Stars at Kavumba Recreation Grounds to hand Asaph Mwebaze’s side a big 1-0 win.
There was even more drama in the fight for who tops the table at the halfway mark as Vipers lost 1-0 to Busoga United and KCCA stayed top.
The journey to a 14th league title is expected to be tough and challenges don’t come bigger than visits to the Kabaka Kyabagu stadium, home to Wakiso Giants.
That will be KCCA’s first stern test of the second round and head coach Morley Byekwaso expects nothing but a tough encounter.
“We expect to face stiff resistance in Wakiso,” Byekwaso told Pulse Sports before the team’s Wednesday session.
“We are being hosted by the fourth team on the table and when you analyse top to bottom the difference is not big,” he added.
While KCCA have dominated this particular fixture, winning three of the last five meetings, losing one and drawing the other, it is the industry a possession-based brand of football by Wakiso that must worry Byekwaso.
Under the tutelage of John Luyinda Ayala, Wakiso played arguably the most attractive football in the first round.
Log leaders KCCA and fourth-placed Wakiso are separated by just four points. A win for the home side brings them right back into the very open title race.
Byekwaso knows how tough the second round will be. He said: “The league has been so tough so we need to go there knowing that things are not going to be easy, we need to fight so much.”
Well prepared
KCCA have an embarrassment of riches and do not look like they lack anything. Even with Ashraf Mugume and Julius Poloto out injured, options are plenty.
Denis Iguma is also doubtful about Peter Magambo’s return to the first team after missing the first round might be further delayed by necessary documentation to have him licensed in time for the first game.
There will be no Mustafa Kizza as he is not match-fit yet. Byekwaso will be expected to count on his trusted centre back pairing of Mustafa Mujuzi and Geoffrey Wasswa.
Brian Majwega and Philbert Obenchan played as the full backs in the cup win over KJT while Emmanuel Wasswa and Dominic Ayella patrolled the midfield.
Brian Aheebwa and Charles Lwanga started upfront on Monday but it is Muhammad Shaban and Tshisungu Kankonde expected to lead the line in Wakiso.
No more Kasule in Wakiso
The hosts will start life without Ibrahim Kasule after the attacking midfielder transferred to Turkish side Ankara Keciörengücü on a three-and-half-year deal in the January transfer window.
The youngster scored five goals and posted five assists in the first round for Wakiso before the league went into the break.
But the Giants had more than just Kasule. Rahmat Ssenfuka, Lawrence Bukenya and Hassan Ssenyonjo made it tough for opponents to cope with Wakiso in the midfield.
“We lost one of our best players in Kasule (Ibrahim) but that can’t stop us from performing,” Luyinda said ahead of the game.
“We can’t rule out the fact that we are playing a good side with good players and a technical team but we have a motivator that we are home,” he added.
In the first round, Wakiso won four of the seven games played at home and will be looking to maintain that form.
Head to Head
There have been five league meetings against KCCA FC with us winning once, lost three and drawn the other.
Startimes Uganda Premier League
Thursday (Kabaka Kyabaggu)
Wakiso Giants vs KCCA at -4pm
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)