Kitara Football Club’s leadership and the players have urged fans not to lose hope after their 2:1 home defeat to NEC FC assuring supporters that it’s still early in the season and they remain optimistic about lifting the league trophy.
This comes ahead of their upcoming match against KCCA FC, scheduled for Friday in Lugogo.
In an interview at the Royals Park stadium in Butema, Hoima District, Coach Brian Ssenyondo acknowledged the disappointing loss to NEC FC but remained confident about their future performance.
"The match against NEC FC was humiliating, but we must accept that our boys did not perform well on that day. NEC has improved significantly under Coach Mbalangu, and they are now a strong team. Moving forward, we’ve reorganized and brought in new faces. We are optimistic about our chances against KCCA FC on Friday," Ssenyondo said.
Responding to KCCA coach Mubiru's remarks that Kitara is overhyped by the media, Ssenyondo expressed surprise and questioned the basis of such comments.
"I haven’t seen the statement, but from what you’ve told me, I wonder what Mubiru means by media hype. Kitara is a good team, and we were very competitive last season. Has he ever seen media outlets claiming we won when we actually lost? For example, we lost to NEC FC, and no media outlet said otherwise. I think he has a negative perception of our club, but we’re not affected by it. Our focus is to win, and we treat every match as a final. Our goal is to beat KCCA," Ssenyondo added.
Similarly, Kitara FC CEO Josh Atugonza dismissed Mubiru’s remarks as mere attempts to promote the upcoming game while maintaining a positive outlook.
"I think Mubiru is just trying to market the game. I see nothing wrong with his comments and take them positively. We expect a huge turnout of fans for the match, but I want to remind him that Kitara is not a team to be underestimated," Atugonza said.
Atugonza also highlighted the morale boost within the team, particularly from the national team performances of Kitara players Denis Omedi and Jude Ssemugabi.
"I’ve known Jude Ssemugabi since his Masaza Cup days. He has always been a talented player who needed a bigger platform to showcase his abilities. He is the most disciplined player in our club, and his personal training shows his determination to become a superstar," Atugonza remarked.
Club captain Maxwell Owacigui echoed the sentiments of confidence, emphasizing that Kitara FC has assembled a strong squad for the season.
"We have the best team, with a mix of young and experienced players. Our aim is to give our fans and the club management good results. When we fall short, we review our mistakes and come back stronger for the next game. Our players thrive on excitement and aim to entertain," Owacigui said.
Denis Omedi, one of Kitara’s star players, addressed recent rumors of his potential transfer, assuring fans that no moves are imminent.
"When the rumors about KCCA came up, I wasn’t bothered because I knew they weren’t true. For now, I play for Kitara, and if any transfer news arises, the club will communicate it. I was disappointed by our loss to NEC FC, especially seeing fans leave the stadium upset after it was packed to capacity. It hurt, but we promise to deliver more goals and excitement moving forward," Omedi reassured.
Regarding the transfer rumors, Owacigui and Atugonza both downplayed any negative impact on the team, with the latter suggesting that such speculation can even enhance the league’s excitement.
"Even abroad, transfer rumors create tension and excitement, promoting both the league and the club. So, when these rumors surface, people shouldn’t worry. They are healthy for football," Atugonza concluded.