Crunch time
Nov 22, 2002
LEAGUE openers are never perfect yardsticks for a club’s marathon season but they, in more than one instance, give a hint on the path a team will tread through.
By Mark Namanya
KCC v URA 4.30, Nakivubo
LEAGUE openers are never perfect yardsticks for a club’s marathon season but they, in more than one instance, give a hint on the path a team will tread through.
KCC and URA commence the 2002-2003 Nile Special Super League (NSSL) knowing that today’s result will be of immense significance.
Naturally, coach Jackson Mayanja’s ambitions for URA have become bigger after an impressive 2002 debut season.
Mayanja, who won incomparable fame while honing his talents at KCC, is however philosophically cautious.
“This is merely the start of the season and anything will be possible, now that KCC have a new coach whose style is still unknown. The best team will win anyway,†said Mayanja whose lead striker David Kiwanuka is a serious doubt with injury.
Cranes international Hood Kaweesa has not been training and Mayanja is undecided on whether to field him or not.
Having lurked in the shadows of SC Villa and Express, fans at Lugogo are in dire need of silverware.
The situation has not been helped by a certain section of discontented fans, which has risen up to challenge the credibility of the current administration.
The club has hired the services of Danish tactician Jan Fray as it struggles to match the nostalgic feats of the past.
But KCC will have it’s work cut out from within after becoming injury ridden lately.
Defender Richard Apangu and midfielders Henry Kabeta and Noah Babadi Kasule are among the notable absentees ruled out by injury.
Fray confesses he is still learning KCC and Ugandan soccer but is prepared for his unknown opponent.
“I have heard that URA is a team with some vastly experienced players. But I believe we are at 70% and ready to play, although I am still learning KCC.â€
Linkman Rashid Kudra is on serving suspension, after a red card towards the end of last season, and his creative abilities will be missed.
Whichever side holds off the off-season rust and hang over to earn victory will go top.
KCC v URA 4.30, Nakivubo
LEAGUE openers are never perfect yardsticks for a club’s marathon season but they, in more than one instance, give a hint on the path a team will tread through.
KCC and URA commence the 2002-2003 Nile Special Super League (NSSL) knowing that today’s result will be of immense significance.
Naturally, coach Jackson Mayanja’s ambitions for URA have become bigger after an impressive 2002 debut season.
Mayanja, who won incomparable fame while honing his talents at KCC, is however philosophically cautious.
“This is merely the start of the season and anything will be possible, now that KCC have a new coach whose style is still unknown. The best team will win anyway,†said Mayanja whose lead striker David Kiwanuka is a serious doubt with injury.
Cranes international Hood Kaweesa has not been training and Mayanja is undecided on whether to field him or not.
Having lurked in the shadows of SC Villa and Express, fans at Lugogo are in dire need of silverware.
The situation has not been helped by a certain section of discontented fans, which has risen up to challenge the credibility of the current administration.
The club has hired the services of Danish tactician Jan Fray as it struggles to match the nostalgic feats of the past.
But KCC will have it’s work cut out from within after becoming injury ridden lately.
Defender Richard Apangu and midfielders Henry Kabeta and Noah Babadi Kasule are among the notable absentees ruled out by injury.
Fray confesses he is still learning KCC and Ugandan soccer but is prepared for his unknown opponent.
“I have heard that URA is a team with some vastly experienced players. But I believe we are at 70% and ready to play, although I am still learning KCC.â€
Linkman Rashid Kudra is on serving suspension, after a red card towards the end of last season, and his creative abilities will be missed.
Whichever side holds off the off-season rust and hang over to earn victory will go top.