Overview:
The Venoms have had a tougher route to the final that included eliminating fellow premier league sides Mbarara City, SC Villa and Kitara but take away nothing from KCCA who have played away from home in four of their six matches although they faced no premier league side on their journey.
The curtain will come down on the Ugandan season this Saturday when Vipers and KCCA face off in what promises to be a thrilling Stanbic Uganda Cup final. At the start of every season, the two teams are always favourites to win titles and both will feel they are deserving of glory at Kadiba.
Vipers, crowned league champions last week are chasing only their second league and double while KCCA are more desperate having not won a trophy in over six years.
The Venoms have had a tougher route to the final that included eliminating fellow premier league sides Mbarara City, SC Villa and Kitara but take away nothing from KCCA who have played away from home in four of their six matches although they faced no premier league side on their journey.
And so ahead of the arguably the most anticipated game of the campaign, ISMAEL KIYONGA has put together a combined XI from the two teams based on performance over the course of the competition.
GK: Denis Kiggundu (Vipers): The promising custodian has been the Venoms cup goalkeeper and he has taken his chance with open hands.
He made crucial saves in the course of the competition in games against Mbarara City and Villa but it was in the second leg at Kitara where he kept the hosts at bay with save after save.
This is not to say Mugolofa hasn’t been immense for KCCA in their journey but Kiggundu’s consistent displays give him the edge here.
RB: Gavin Kizito (KCCA): Gavin deserves the nod ahead of either Nicholas Wadada or Grant Matsiko for consistency in the XI which the two didn’t.
John Ayala and Fred Muhumuza kept interchanging their right backs with none having consistent appearances in the lineup.
LB: James Mubeezi (KCCA): Arguably KCCA’s player of the season. Mubeezi has been so good that he is one of the first names on paper for coaches at the club.
Like at right back, Vipers haven’t had consistence with Enock Luyima, Richard Matovu and the talented Derrick Ndahiro all used.
CB: Livingston Mulondo (Vipers): Could easily be the tournament’s MVP. Mulondo has three goals despite playing at the heart of defence and has been as hard as a rock when it comes to keeping opponents at bay explaining Vipers have kept clean sheets in all but one of the cup games to date. Simply the easiest choice in this XI.
CB: Hilary Mukundane (Vipers): Not every fan’s cup of tea given his playing style but Mukundane just does the basics. His performance over two legs in the game against Kitara were crucial in ensuring Vipers get here but unfortunately, he will miss the final through suspension.
CDM: Joel Sserujongi (KCCA): A metronomic passer of the ball despite playing as the anchorman, Sserunjogi is the man that makes the Kasasiro tick.
CM: Karim Watambala (Vipers): The midfielder will be most remembered for that shot that resulted in Karisa’s goal against SC Villa in the quarter final but his overall performances have been simply magnificent. He gets ahead of Said Mayanja in the team after the KCCA opposite number lost steam after the first half of the season.
CAM: Allan Okello (Vipers): Although he hasn’t been as lethal in the cup like was in the league, Okello has masterminded many of the victories with his on and off the ball moments. Choosing him over Bright Anukani is a no brainer.
LW: Yunus Sentamu (Vipers): One of the most naturally gifted forwards who can play anywhere across the front three. It can certainly be argued that Sentamu needs to contribute more goals if he is to be considered as one of the most best wide forwards but he take over ahead of Brazilian Gabriel who was key in the semis against Kataka.
ST: Emmanuel Anyama (KCCA): The star of the semi-final picked form at the right time. With both teams not having consistent no. 9s scoring goals, Anyama gets the nod ahead of teammate Derrick Nsibambi whose goals in the early stages propelled the Kasasiro.
RW: Usama Arafat (KCCA): One of the best wide forwards in Uganda at the moment. After missing out early in the season due to injuries, Usama returned at the right time and his contribution to KCCA’s journey to the final has been immense with his goal vs Karoo Karungi settling a close contest. He has done enough over the course of the campaign to edge Milton Karisa out of the combined team.