Sh399m at stake
Apr 06, 2009
KCC FC are 180 minutes away from its biggest pay day.<br><br>Should they beat Sudan’s El Merreikh over two legs, KCC will be assured of earning a minimum $0.19m (sh399m) in the MTN- CAF Champions League group stage. They would be the first Ugandan soc
By Fred Kaweesi
Champions League cash
Club Federation
Winner $1m $50,000
R/up $0.75m $35,000
S/finalist $0.427m $22,000
Grp 3rd $0.261m $13,750
Grp 4th $0.190m $10,000
April 17
3rd Round, first leg
KCC FC v El Merriekh
KCC FC are 180 minutes away from its biggest pay day.
Should they beat Sudan’s El Merreikh over two legs, KCC will be assured of earning a minimum $0.19m (sh399m) in the MTN- CAF Champions League group stage. They would be the first Ugandan soccer club to reach the last eight since the lucrative stage was introduces in 1997.
Merreikh beat Libya’s Al Ittihad 4-1 on aggregate to qualify.
The eight winners of the next round will be drawn into two mini-leagues of four teams each, with teams playing each other on a home and away basis. Soccer governing body FUFA would also benefit if KCC advance.
* While teamwork is such a significant component for any successful football side, individual contributions at times prove precious as KCC FC are fast-discovering in the MTN-CAF Champions League.
Brian Umony and Benjamin Ochan have done exceptionally well in steering KCC to the third round stage of the tournament. But equally so has club coach George Nsimbe.
That is, choosing the right tactics and selecting the right players, and most importantly squeezing a result out of nothing.
Against South African side SuperSport United, Nsimbe excelled in all, one of the several reasons Uganda’s continental representatives secured a date against Sudan giants El Merriekh. Next week’s test against El Merriekh has been made harder by the suspension of team captain Sam Mubiru, who got a red card on Saturday.
“I already know what to do. Kaya (Ausi) will prove just as good in that position. We will retain the same side that started against SuperSport and only bring in Muhindo (Moses) at right back, where Kaya has done well,†Nsimbe hinted.
“I know what Sudanese football is all about and I have my strategy in place,†he added.
Against SuperSport, Nsimbe had a game plan and his players stuck to it with almost military precision. The coach’s tactics involved relentless running, hounding and the launch of surprise attacks.
He made one change in personnel from the first leg, Omar Hitmana coming in for Jeremiah Ssebuyiira. The idea was to have numbers in midfield and it worked. (Additional reporting by James Bakama)
*****
Kaweesi was in South Africa to cover the MTN Champions League courtesy of MTN
Champions League cash
Club Federation
Winner $1m $50,000
R/up $0.75m $35,000
S/finalist $0.427m $22,000
Grp 3rd $0.261m $13,750
Grp 4th $0.190m $10,000
April 17
3rd Round, first leg
KCC FC v El Merriekh
KCC FC are 180 minutes away from its biggest pay day.
Should they beat Sudan’s El Merreikh over two legs, KCC will be assured of earning a minimum $0.19m (sh399m) in the MTN- CAF Champions League group stage. They would be the first Ugandan soccer club to reach the last eight since the lucrative stage was introduces in 1997.
Merreikh beat Libya’s Al Ittihad 4-1 on aggregate to qualify.
The eight winners of the next round will be drawn into two mini-leagues of four teams each, with teams playing each other on a home and away basis. Soccer governing body FUFA would also benefit if KCC advance.
* While teamwork is such a significant component for any successful football side, individual contributions at times prove precious as KCC FC are fast-discovering in the MTN-CAF Champions League.
Brian Umony and Benjamin Ochan have done exceptionally well in steering KCC to the third round stage of the tournament. But equally so has club coach George Nsimbe.
That is, choosing the right tactics and selecting the right players, and most importantly squeezing a result out of nothing.
Against South African side SuperSport United, Nsimbe excelled in all, one of the several reasons Uganda’s continental representatives secured a date against Sudan giants El Merriekh. Next week’s test against El Merriekh has been made harder by the suspension of team captain Sam Mubiru, who got a red card on Saturday.
“I already know what to do. Kaya (Ausi) will prove just as good in that position. We will retain the same side that started against SuperSport and only bring in Muhindo (Moses) at right back, where Kaya has done well,†Nsimbe hinted.
“I know what Sudanese football is all about and I have my strategy in place,†he added.
Against SuperSport, Nsimbe had a game plan and his players stuck to it with almost military precision. The coach’s tactics involved relentless running, hounding and the launch of surprise attacks.
He made one change in personnel from the first leg, Omar Hitmana coming in for Jeremiah Ssebuyiira. The idea was to have numbers in midfield and it worked. (Additional reporting by James Bakama)
*****
Kaweesi was in South Africa to cover the MTN Champions League courtesy of MTN