Ssimbwa, Kato in clash of former midfield gems

Oct 29, 2009

AS footballers, Sam Ssimbwa and Sula Kato carved out reputations as distinct and reliable midfielders at KCC FC and SC Villa respectively.

Uganda super league
Victors 0 URA FC 1
Kinyara 0 Nalubaale 0
Iganga 2 Simba 0
Firemasters 1 CRO 0

Today
KCC FC v SC Villa


By Fred Kaweesi and Swalley Kenyi

AS footballers, Sam Ssimbwa and Sula Kato carved out reputations as distinct and reliable midfielders at KCC FC and SC Villa respectively.

However, today, the two face challenges of an altogether different magnitude and that is identifying the right sides that will combine their attributes and secure them a win in a fixture that has plenty of pride.

Like two great heavyweights, it will be all about who blinks first.

If ever there was a pivotal moment for KCC coach Ssimbwa, it is now - on a day that will provide the real test of his (Ssimbwa) and his tactical acumen.

Anyone who has closely followed both coaches' motivation tools ahead of this grudging fixture has been left in no doubt that the Nakivubo engagement will be close to call.

Both sides have gathered seven points, KCC seated in second place ahead of Villa on goal difference.

In terms of running off the ball, Villa has improved and the extra mobility has transformed them into a more formidable attacking unit. Kato has done a magnificent job, and his players seem to be enjoying themselves, particularly new arrivals Kipson Atuhaire and Simon Sserunkuuma.

Sserunkuuma and Atuhaire loom large over everything Villa have and KCC’s central defensive pair of Richard Malinga and Moses Musoke will be fully briefed on that.

* Victors FC have signed Harambee Stars U-20 tactician Rashid Khamisi Shedu for a two-year contract. He started work at a super league match against URA yesterday.

This makes the Jinja side the only super league team with a foreign coach since the departure of Nalubaale’s Romanian Marin Dorian last season.

The 51-year-old Kenyan, who coached Express FC in 1999/2000 season, boasts of a FIFA coaching world football development programme (FUTURO I) certificate. He has also coached Ulinzi Stars of Kenya in 20001-2003.

Victors owner Col. Jackson ‘Bell’ Tushabe confirmed the deal with Shedu saying he has tasked the tactician with the responsibility of reviving his club’s vibrant days before they shifted home to Jinja.

Victors competed in the CAF Confederations Cup last season and fell off early in the competition.

Shedu arrived at Victors from Kibuye of Rwanda.

Meanwhile, league champions URA FC needed an Aziz Mugonza own goal to revive their faltering start to the season against Victors FC.

The Victors’ defender diverted Henry Kisekka’s effort into his own net to hand URA a 1-0 win in Kakindu – their second victory in four outings.

In Masindi, Nalubaale managed an away point after battling out to a goalless draw against Kinyara. In Iganga, Alex Sajjabi struck twice as Iganga dumped Simba 2-0.

Additional reporting by Bruno Mugooda, Martin Kaahwa and G. Kakungulu

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