Uganda’s representatives in the Confederation of African Football (CAF), KCCA FC will tonight, Tuesday July 17 take on two time African Champions and Tunisian giants Esperance Sportive de Tunis, in their third group A CAF Champions league game, in Tunisia’s capital, Tunis.
KCCA FC under coach Mike Mutebi is third in Group A and tied on 3 points with group mates Township Rollers of Botswana.
The Ugandans who arrived in Tunis on Sunday July 15, will entertain the North Africans at 10pm EAT in a match KCCA FC has to win if they are to maintain their chances of progressing to the quarter finals of the continent’s top tourney.
While speaking in the pre-match press conference on Monday, KCCA tactician Mike Mutebi, said that he was confident his side will play an entertaining game and subsequently win it.
“We have come here to play against one of the best clubs in Africa. For us, we are an emerging force and we are here with no pressure at all but to try to play and win as well as entertain our fans,” Mr Mike Mutebi told reporters in Tunis.
On his part, KCCA FC young player, Gift Ali, who is making his debut appearance in the tournament said: “It is a massive thing for me as a player since it is a stage where every Ugandan player wants to be at. I am ready to give my best and we get a point or win here and we wait for a return game at home”.
The ‘Kasasiro boys’ lost 1-0 in their opener against the Southern Africa side Township Rollers FC in early May in Gaborone, before humbling African record Champions Al Ahly of Egypt 2-0 at the StarTimes Stadium May 17 in Kampala, thanks to shot stopper Charles Lukwago, who made a master penalty save in the 26th minute, to deny the visitors a first half lead.
KCCA’s two goals were scored by Saddam Juma and Timothy Awany in the second half.
The return match will be played in Kampala on July 27
The Ugandans will thereafter proceed to play the blues of Botswana in Kampala between August 17-19 and then complete their group stage phase away from home against Alhly on August 28-29.
KCCA FC which lost the 2017/2018 Azam Uganda Premier league title to Lawrence Mulindwa’s side Vipers FC, are already assured of a group qualification fee of USD 555,000 (Shs 2bnn) and will get more depending on how they perform in the group.
Meanwhile, record eight time African Champions,Al Ahly, who are bottom in the group with only a point, will also later tonight host Ugandan Ivan Ntege’s Township Rollers FC in Cairo.
Group A table Standings
Esperance 4
Township Rollers 3
KCCA FC 3
Al Ahly 1
