Twenty three years ago, KCCA had an opportunity to become the first Ugandan club to win a league and Cup double.
Then, KCCA had won the 1983 league title with three games to spare and went on to lose just two games, against SC Villa and Nile.
At the end of the campaign, they were eight points ahead of second placed Coffee Kakira.
The Kasasiro had reached the Uganda Cup final as well after thumping Tobacco 5-2 in the semi-finals.
In the finals, rivals SC Villa were lurking after seeing off fellow giants Express 2-1 in the other last four encounter.
Going into the final, KCCA were favourites but a late winner from Sula Sentamu saw SC Villa deny Bidandi Ssali’s side a double.
Two years later, another opportunity presented itself to the Yellow Lads. This time round, they had beaten rivals Express to the league title on goal difference as both sides finished on 41 points (a win accumulated two points then).
Fate played its part as the two contested the Uganda Cup final on November 21, 1985.
KCCA had seen off Nile in the semi-final while Express had edged Coffee and in the finals, Express won 3-1 with goals from Joachim Matovu, Phillip Musoke and Jimmy Muguwa while Charles Baker Masiko’s equaliser turned into consolation.
It took the 1978 CECAFA winners 29 years to get to the finals after winning the league when under George ‘Best’ Nsimbe, won the 2013-14 league title but lost the Uganda Cup final to URA at Mbale Municipal stadium.
The game ended in a 2-2 draw in normal time with William Wadri and Derrick Nsibambi scoring for the Lugogo side while Simeon Masaba and Feni Ali Moses scored for the Tax Collectors who were coached by now Tusker Coach Paul Nkata.
Action from the 2014 Uganda Cup Finals that KCCA lost to URA at Mbale Municipal Stadium (Photo: Fufa.co.ug)
In the shootout, Gadaffi Kiwanuka and Ronnie Kisekka missed as URA triumphed 4-2.
It was third time unlucky for a side that didn’t register for the competition in 1976 and 1977 when they won the league.
Forward to 2016, KCCA won the league at the expense of Vipers but the two were drawn to face each other in the Uganda Cup semi-finals.
Just last week, Vipers dismantled KCCA at Nakivubo winning 2-0 with Erisa Sekisambu and Alfred Leku sinking Mike Mutebi’s side.
Alfred Leku put the KCCA to the sword at Nakivubo in the semi-finals this year. (Photo: Aisha Nakato)
A much improved return leg produced just one Derrick Nsibambi goal for a side that needed three unanswered goals to reach the finals and maybe, try to win their first double.
SC Villa, Express remain exclusive double champions
Only two Ugandan clubs have won a league and Cup double and sadly for KCCA fans, its rivals SC Villa and Express.
The Jogoos won the first ever double in 1986 under Coach Polly Ouma, and then extended the feat in 1988 and 1989 under Briton Geoff Hudson.
Paul Hasule also achieved the same in 1998 and 2000 while current Uganda Cranes Coach Mulitin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic also won it for the Blues in 2002.
That totals SC Villa’s doubles to six as compared to Express’ one won in 1985 under Coach Jimmy Muguwa.
