Is KCCA FC a selling club?

KCCA's defeat by Esperance at the weekend again raised that critical question of what exactly the club's vision is.

Does KCCA have any intentions of becoming one of Africa's giants or is it simply a nursery that grooms talent for others to shine?

As a staunch KCCA fan, I would love to see my hugely funded club scaling heights that no other Ugandan side has reached.

In this particular case, I would have loved to see KCCA as serious contenders for not only the CAF Champions League final stages, but also the huge cash prizes at stake.

But as it turns out, KCCA management seems to have a completely different mission.

You only have to look at the rate at which the club is losing its best players to realise that attaining giant status is nowhere amongst KCCA's priorities.

It all started off with marksman Geoffrey Sserunkuma in 2017.

That time we were told that the 35 plus striker, who was interestingly worth a goal per match, had got an irresistible offer from Zambia.

We painfully accepted KCCA's reason to let the striker go. After all who wouldn't wish someone who had served well a decent package in preparation for his retirement?

Then shortly afterwards, it was Derrick Nsibambi leaving. This lanky teenager had proved a good replacement for Sserunkuma.

No wonder Nsibambi quickly earned a national team call.

Hardly before we could absorb the shock of Nsibambi's departure, we were jolted with more bad news.

Striker Mohammed Shaban and attacking midfielder  Paul Mucureezi are leaving.

Not that players are supposed to be glued in Lugogo, what I simply don't seem to grasp is the timing of these departures.

If KCCA is seriously interested in competing on the big stage, why is it in a hurry to let go of its best talent?

The effect of these players' absence was vividly evident on Saturday as KCCA consistently failed to score.

I have severally had coach Mike Mutebi argue that most of his goals are not only crafted but also executed by his midfield.

What this in effect means is that he doesn't have much faith in his strikers. Could that be the reason that he is easily letting them go?

I am no advocate of players being glued to a club. I would have preferred KCCA holding onto talents like Shaban for at least three seasons.

By then they would have not only matured but also propped KCCA to greater heights. Shaban's market value would then be also much more.

But maybe we shouldn't be surprised with this Ugandan mentality of settling for less.

But maybe we need not trouble ourselves with what is happening at Lugogo now that the club's mission and vision are clear.

KCCA is a nursery that grooms for the likes of Buildcon in Zambia, Egypt's Smouha and South Africa's Orlando Pirates.

Having high expectations will only give us heartbreaks.