Nkana draw gives KCCA the edge

By James Bakama, Swalley Kenyi, and Agencies 

CAF Champions League 

Nkana 2 KCCA 2 

Return leg, Namboole 

Saturday, March 8 

KCCA finally unraveled Uganda’s jinx with Zambian clubs by pulling off a priceless CAF Champions League away draw with Nkana Red Devils FC. 

A 10-man KCCA showed rare fighting spirit clawing their way from a goal down to draw 2-2 at the Arthur Davies stadium in Kitwe. 

Going into Saturday’s match, Zambian clubs had won all their six previous continental home encounters against Ugandan opposition. 

That two of these were comprehensive KCCA losses, was a basis for the Zambians to predict yet another victory. 

But as it turned out coach George Nsimbe, a midfielder in the 1992 side that was whipped 6-0 on aggregate by the same side, hit back at the Zambians on Saturday. 

“Nkana is a good side but I came here to revenge, I lost badly as a player against this team. All we need is to force a 0-0 draw or 1-1 but I would like to win and sail through,” said Nsimbe after the draw. 

Magoola, Odur on a run 

The result had KCCA duo of striker Tony Odur and goalkeeper Salim Magoola each setting records. Odur, who gave KCCA the lead 27 minutes into the match in Kitwe, has now scored in each of team’s three CAF Champions League matches. 

The goalkeeper has also saved a penalty in each of these matches. 

KCCA almost took the lead in the 14th minute when Brian Majwega narrowly missed the mark. But moments later it was the hosts’ lead striker Ronald Kampamba missing three chances. 

It was Odur who was eventually on target. Nkana were left mourning nine minutes to recess when Kampamba’s spot kick was saved by Magoola after Saka Mpiima had handled in the box. 

However, Kampamba atoned for his miss with an equaliser a minute later when he headed in a Maybin Chishimba cross to make it 1-1 at half time. 

Nkana finally got the lead in the 50th minute through Shadrek Musonda. With the pressure mounting KCCA resorted to rough play that had Tom Masiko sent off by Djibouti referee Djamel Abdi. 

KCCA gallantly fought back, the pressure paying off in the 70th minute when Chishimba brought down Odur in the box and Majwega stepped up to convert the resultant penalty, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way. 

Magogo lauds KCCA 

FUFA boss Moses Magogo has congratulated KCCA FC for their 2-2 CAF Champions League result against Nkana Red Devils over the weekend. He has urged them to kill off the game in the return leg on Saturday. 

Magogo, who has kept a close touch with the country’s CAF ambassadors by mobilising fans to rally behind the team, said yesterday that KCCA has the capacity to kill off the tie and advance past the Zambian champions in Kampala on Saturday. 

“We believe the players and coaches have worked, the administration has provided the means, the authority has financed. It is our turn to pray for KCCA FC against Nkana (in the return leg). Yes we can. It is our country, it is our game,” Magogo, who has openly thrown his weight behind the club, said.