KCCA will have a slim but important advantage when they visit Angola’s Desportivo de 1 Agosto on Sunday thanks to a 1-0 win in the first leg at Phillip Omondi stadium, Lugogo.
Geoffrey Sserunkuma scored the only goal of the game four minutes after the break but how did the players chosen by Mike Mutebi on the day perform?
Benjamin Ochan 6.0: Although not much tested, he read the game well and made a wonderful save in the second half to prevent a would be brilliant own goal from Timothy Awany.
Denis Okot 5.0: He didn’t have a bad start to the game although he appeared to be under intense pressure when the opponents attacked. Later in the game, he troubled by substitute Joao Munha and forced him into the referee’s book.
Joseph Ochaya 7.0: He used his experience well to halt the overlapping full back on the right and also gave a lot going forward. He rattled the base of the bar with a fierce shot that would have made the tie safer for the Kasasiro.
Timothy Awany 6.0: He was as a hard as a rock at the back but fortunate not to score in his own net after a poor decision on where to head the ball under pressure from the opponent.
Habib Kavuma 6.0: He was slow in reaction in 50-50 situations but rarely put a foot wrong. He also used his typical long range pass to initiate attacks from the defence.
Isaac Kirabira 5.5: He started slow and was seen chasing shadows especially in the opening 45 minutes of the game as the Angolans quick passing game left him a passenger often but improved in the second half when KCCA gained much of the control in terms of possession.
Ivan Ntege 7.5: Like Kirabira, Ntege started slow but improved each passing minute. He intercepted most of the visitors’ dangerous attacks, put his body on the line and was willing to go into every fight for the ball.
Paul Mucureezi 8.0: A man of the match performance from the lad whose directness was too much for the visitors to stop. Unfortunate not to win a penalty when he forced a hand ball on the edge of the area but looked the liveliest player going forward for KCCA.
Muzamiru Mutyaba 4.0: A disappointing game for arguably the most talented player at Lugogo. Played in panic mode often making hurried decisions in terms of when to pass or shoot and no surprise, he was hauled off at half time.
Geoffrey Sserunkuma 6.5: Despite scoring the winner, the veteran centre forward missed 2-3 clear cut opportunities with hurried decision making. He should have done better in the final third.
Derrick Nsibambi 5.0: He struggled against the tall and talented Primeiro de Agosto centre backs. Lost most of one on one duels and no wonder, he was replaced midway the second half.
Substitutes
Brian Majwega 5.0: Besides assisting the winner with a well taken goal, the tricky winger’s impact wasn’t as much as expected.
Vincent Kayizzi 5.0: He struggled moments after coming on but improved as the game waned. He created a beautiful chance for Sserunkuma which the forward missed by shooting inches wide of goal.
Robert Ssentongo 4.0: Came on for Sserunkuma late in the game but could do little against the two centre backs who were taller than him.
Coach Mike Mutebi 7.0:
He named a deservingly attack minded side and was only let down by players. His substitutions in regards to Kayizzi and Majwega were okay but not with a diminutive Ssentongo replacing Sserunkuma.
May be he should have paired the former URA striker with Sserunkuma who was giving headache to the two tall centre backs.
