Has KCCA FC blundered by offloading Okello?
Jan 25, 2020
Granted KCCA were not going to lose such a talent for free and the Algerian club was their last chance to cash in but the whole thing reeks of structural incompetence on the part of KCCA.
Three years later, Allan Okello is gone. KCCA take the money and, well, what?
Really what's next in this non-stop KCCA player-bazaar? Or rather who is next? When is enough enough? When will selling turn into building for greatness?
KCCA have bagged nearly sh10b in player sales over the last four seasons and it is fair to say quite a number of those deals were good, coups even. Geoffrey Sserunkuma, Patrick Kaddu, Isaac Muleme, Shaban Mohammed are among those who have brought in good money because the reasons for selling them - age, size offer or indiscipline - outweighed those for keeping them.
Okello's case is unique. There was every justification for keeping him for longer than just three years and if you must sell him, surely not to Paradou AC. Granted KCCA were not going to lose such a talent for free and the Algerian club was their last chance to cash in but the whole thing reeks of structural incompetence on the part of KCCA.
KCCA FC's Mustafa Kizza (left) and Allan Okello celebrate a goal in the Uganda Premier League. Okello has since left KCCA Fc. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
If Okello's transfer was written in the stars, KCCA would have been expected to pursue a win-win outcome for the player and the club. But they did not and the marriage ended in a messy divorce, with fresh questions raised about KCCA's policy and ambitions as well as the future of a bright Ugandan talent.
What does the future hold for Okello, all alone in the parched North African setting? And, yes, what does the future hold for KCCA?
Following their 4-1 aggregate defeat to Paradou in the Confederations Cup playoff round, KCCA coach Mike Mutebi urged the club to loosen their wage policy if they are to limit the endless-player exits.
"Management needs to find ways of keeping the best players at the club if we are to rub shoulders with big boys on the continent," Mutebi noted.
Allan Okello and former KCCA FC strike partner Patrick Kaddu are both playing football in North Africa
"Most of the opponents we have faced in the recent campaigns on the continent including Paradou AC have had their players stay together for a long period, something KCCA differs from. Every season we have a new squad. I believe that costs us a lot."
The real question for KCCA is what will be the opportunity cost. Continental success or transfer proceeds and wage savings?