The Monitor (Kampala)
Andrew Jackson Oryada
8 July 2009
Khartoum — Key players Moses Muhindo and Anthony Bongole will not have any say in KCC FC's clash with Sam Timbe's Atraco FC in the third quarter final of the Kagame Club Championship this evening.
"Muhindo and Bongole are out with different injuries whereas first choice goalkeeper Tony Okello is on suspension," confirmed coach George 'Best' Nsimbe after yesterday's light training session in Khartoum. But the Kasasiro camp is high on morale after KCC sports official Tom Lwanga paid each player's $200 (Shs420,000) allowance on Monday night.
Atraco have had a woeful campaign and only scrapped through to the quarterfinals stage as the third qualifier from their pool but boast of the Sam Timbe factor; a coach who has won the trophy with Ugandan sides SC Villa and Police.
Nsimbe, well aware of the success his comrade has enjoyed in the showpiece, has urged his charges to get off the blocks quickly because he knows the scale of the challenge. "We have to score early goals like we have done in all our matches so far. We need to seal this game early," cautioned Nsimbe. With Bongole out, stylish Jeremiah Ssebuyira who already has two goals to his credit will step in. Defender Ausi Kaaya will also have a starting role to play for KCC. "We are confident of beating Atraco because we deserve this trophy more than any other team," said Kaaya. Skipper Sam Mubiru was in a bullish mood ahead of the tie. "I saw Atraco train and they are not a team to give us sleepless nights. But soccer is soccer and we must watch them," he said.
Goalkeeper Karim Kamyuka, who will be standing in for Okello, said he is up to the task and ready to help KCC qualify for the next round. "I am not scared like some of my teammates think. I'm going to give my best performance," a confident Kamyuka said. The tournament's leading striker Robert Ssentongo (four goals) is keen to increase his tally as he chases the $1,000 (Shs2.2m) prize for the top scorer. KCC, though, will have to keep a close eye on Atraco's Ugandan players Johnson Bagoole, Hamis Kitagenda, Alimansi Kadogo, Peter Kagabo and Mike Ssebalinga who could throw a spanner in their works.
Cecafa has, meanwhile, banned Zanzibar side Miembeni FC for five years for aborting their game against Sudanese side Hey el Arab. After going through the technical reports from the referee and the match commissioner and listening to the Organising sub Committee in Port Sudan, the Organising Committee found Miembeni FC guilty of abandoning the match and coach Ali Bushiri guilty of inciting players against continuing with the match. Cecafa General Secretary Nicholas Musonye said that the unsporting behaviour was against the spirit of sportsmanship.
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