Kampala City Council Football Club (KCC FC) will be without striker Brian Umony for their Mapinduzi Cup title defence.
The striker who has so far netted 13 goals since his return to the club from Azam FC has been left out due to injury and concerns over his future.
“We had a chat with Brian (Umony) and saw it imperative not to take him,” Coach Abdallah Mubiru told Kawowo Sports. “He is not 100% fit and he asked to be left out which is fine,” he added.
It should be noted that Umony is eyeing a move away from the league champions with Kenyan clubs Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards plus Ethiopia’s St. George all interested in signing the dreadlocked centre forward.
Umony joins defenders Habib Kavuma (Malaria) and Isaac Ntege (Thigh) as the only absentees from the travelling contingent.
Meanwhile, the 21 man squad also has Joseph Ochaya and Simon Mbaziira with both expected to pen to paper at KCC FC in the January window.
“With Simon (Mbaziira), almost everything is sorted but we still await communication from Asante Kotoko on Ochaya,” explained Mubiru.
KCC FC is yet to learn of their group opponents in the competition that kicks off on January 1. Kenya’s AFC Leopards and Tusker have already opted out thus only 9 teams remain. Others are Tanzanian champions Azam FC, Simba SC, Yanga SC, Zanzibar champions KMKM, Mtibwa Sugar, Police FC, JKU, Mtende Rangers and Shaba FC.
Last year, Herman Wasswa’s lone goal won it for KCC FC against Simba in the finals. With Umony now declared out, Wasswa is expected to lead the hunt for goals for Uganda’s representatives.
KCC FC is set to leave for Zanzibar in the wee hours of Tuesday by road.
SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Yasin Mugabi & Emmanuel Opio
Defenders: Sakka Mpiima (C), Simon Namwanja, Ayub Kizza, Ronnie Kisekka, Richard Kasagga and Joseph Ochaya.
Midfielders: Simon Mbaziira, Tom Masiko, Hakim Ssenkumba, Paul Mucureezi, Yasin Mugume, Michael Birungi, Martin Kizza, Ivan Ntege, Owen Kasule and Rogers Lukwiya
Forwards: Derrick Nsibambi, Herman Wasswa and William Wadri
