KCCA FC, Vipers renew fierce rivalry
By Ritah Tugumisirize
The Super cup final is here, last year’s Uganda cup winners KCCA fc and league holders Vipers will square off tomorrow in the kick starter ahead of the 2018/19 Startimes Uganda Premier league season.
Defending league champions Vipers SC will face off against Uganda cup holders KCCA FC in the FUFA Super cup at Wankulukuku on Saturday as the 2018/19 Startimes Uganda premier league kickoff nears.
Recent encounters between the two sides have had all characteristic of a grudge match.
The Venoms are responsible for ending KCCA FC’s home unbeaten run last season with a 2-1 win at the Startimes stadium, while the Kasasiro boys denied the Kitende based side their first double, edging them 1-0 in the Uganda cup final in Bukedea.
Their last league meeting at the St. mary’s stadium was marred with physical encounters, as Vipers midfielder Tadeo Lwanga gave no space to KCCA’s wonder kid Allan Okello.
Both sides have made several changes to their squads since. Gift Ali, Bernard Muwanga. Nicolas Kasozi and Allan Kyambadde are some of the key additions to the lugogo based side, while Vipers have a new coach, Mexican Javier Martinez Espinoza, who will be taking charge of his first major game.
Mike Mutebi and his number one Charles Lukwago anticipate a pulsating clash tomorrow.
"All my players are ready, we shall select the 18 to represent us tomorrow. As KCCA FC we play offensive football, we need to score goals, thats the approach and the aim is to attack and score to win the game, i dont care how many goals we score, provided both teams play an attacking open game desired by fans" says KCCA FC's Mike Hillary Mutebi.
"Tomorrows game agaisnt vipers is a very crucial game, it has come at a crucial time where we need to check how ready we are for the season. All our players, both new and old are ready and we hope to win tomorrows game" Goal keeper Charles Lukwago said.
Vipers will have a new face in between the sticks following the departure of their perennial number one Ismail Watenga who joined Ethiopian club Bunni, but will also begin life without winger Milton Kariisa who left for Morocco.
This much anticipated duel will bring the curtain down on the 2018/19 local football season after over three months of a lull.
