KCC's Umony turns guns on Onyango
Mar 12, 2009
BRIAN Umony! Those two names have come to sum up the very best of Ugandan football. In just the last 12 months, the name Umony has stood for artistry, inspiration and genius.
Fred Kaweesi
Today, 4pm
CAF Champions League
KCC FC v SuperSport
BRIAN Umony! Those two names have come to sum up the very best of Ugandan football. In just the last 12 months, the name Umony has stood for artistry, inspiration and genius.
The name Umony has epitomized sublime individual skill that has been both beautiful to watch and devastating infront of goal.
It’s because of Umony that KCC FC find themselves in the privileged position of lining up against South African giants SuperSport United today in what should be a cracking Champions League first leg fixture at Nakivubo Stadium.
The 22-year-old single-handedly steered Uganda’s continental representatives into this esteemed second round.
He struck the all-important away goal in KCC’s 2-1 defeat against Ferroviarro before dispatching another priceless goal in the second leg that guaranteed a 2-0 victory over the Mozambique giants. His touch, movement and finishing were world class.
Yet now, against SuperSport, comes the real measure of how good this youngster and KCC FC are, as victory will warrant them a foot close to the money-spinning group stages.
Club coach George Nsimbe concedes that the task at hand for the 11 youthful cards he intends to roll out is exceedingly phenomenal. But such is the striking aspect of football that each player has been convinced that their opponents are not indomitable.
A lot has been said of SuperSport’s height supremacy, and of their defensive knack that has seen them concede just 18 goals in 24 Premier Soccer League (PSL) outings, the second best record in South Africa this season.
Yet Nsimbe remains convinced that if such realities were ever going to change, it would have to be today and that lead strikers Umony and Robert Ssentongo would have to show up. “I have excelled against better teams. I will continue to try and do my best. Our strategy will be finding an early goal and building on that,†Umony stated.
If KCC hand strikers Umony and Ssentongo better support, by closing spaces in the hosts’ midfield and harrying them into errors, it will allow the two to work their magic, —the sort of magic that helped KCC win their first league title in 10 years last season.
Nsimbe has asked his charges to compress the game, keep the tempo as high as possible, in the belief that it will expose their opponents’ defensive frailties.
That said, for KCC to earn a momentous win, the team will definitely have to play out of their skins. And they can - if only they can stop the visitors scoring. It’s an amazing prediction though.
The key to success will be keeping a clean sheet though with strikers Daine Klate and Norman Smith to contend with, it will be a massive task. “The pitch (Nakivubo) is fine,†said SuperSport coach Gavin Hunt.
Defenders Sam Mubiru and Moses Musoke will have to put up their best performances in a KCC shirt.
The pair was suspect against a Ferroviarro side that wasn’t supposed to pose a threat.
KCC's probable line up
KCC FC: Ochan, Kaya, Senoga, Musoke, Mubiru, Kamoga, Bongole, Sebuyiira, Umony, Ssentongo, Senfuka
KEY BATTLES
Umony v Onyango
Umony is considered by many as the best forward this generation has had to offer. He will relish facing a custodian, whose strengths and weaknesses he knows.
Ssentongo v Khumalo
Ssentongo is savouring a spectacular renaissance at KCC.
However, the pocket-sized striker will need extra muscle to beat the 6ft3-tall defender Khumalo.
Today, 4pm
CAF Champions League
KCC FC v SuperSport
BRIAN Umony! Those two names have come to sum up the very best of Ugandan football. In just the last 12 months, the name Umony has stood for artistry, inspiration and genius.
The name Umony has epitomized sublime individual skill that has been both beautiful to watch and devastating infront of goal.
It’s because of Umony that KCC FC find themselves in the privileged position of lining up against South African giants SuperSport United today in what should be a cracking Champions League first leg fixture at Nakivubo Stadium.
The 22-year-old single-handedly steered Uganda’s continental representatives into this esteemed second round.
He struck the all-important away goal in KCC’s 2-1 defeat against Ferroviarro before dispatching another priceless goal in the second leg that guaranteed a 2-0 victory over the Mozambique giants. His touch, movement and finishing were world class.
Yet now, against SuperSport, comes the real measure of how good this youngster and KCC FC are, as victory will warrant them a foot close to the money-spinning group stages.
Club coach George Nsimbe concedes that the task at hand for the 11 youthful cards he intends to roll out is exceedingly phenomenal. But such is the striking aspect of football that each player has been convinced that their opponents are not indomitable.
A lot has been said of SuperSport’s height supremacy, and of their defensive knack that has seen them concede just 18 goals in 24 Premier Soccer League (PSL) outings, the second best record in South Africa this season.
Yet Nsimbe remains convinced that if such realities were ever going to change, it would have to be today and that lead strikers Umony and Robert Ssentongo would have to show up. “I have excelled against better teams. I will continue to try and do my best. Our strategy will be finding an early goal and building on that,†Umony stated.
If KCC hand strikers Umony and Ssentongo better support, by closing spaces in the hosts’ midfield and harrying them into errors, it will allow the two to work their magic, —the sort of magic that helped KCC win their first league title in 10 years last season.
Nsimbe has asked his charges to compress the game, keep the tempo as high as possible, in the belief that it will expose their opponents’ defensive frailties.
That said, for KCC to earn a momentous win, the team will definitely have to play out of their skins. And they can - if only they can stop the visitors scoring. It’s an amazing prediction though.
The key to success will be keeping a clean sheet though with strikers Daine Klate and Norman Smith to contend with, it will be a massive task. “The pitch (Nakivubo) is fine,†said SuperSport coach Gavin Hunt.
Defenders Sam Mubiru and Moses Musoke will have to put up their best performances in a KCC shirt.
The pair was suspect against a Ferroviarro side that wasn’t supposed to pose a threat.
KCC's probable line up
KCC FC: Ochan, Kaya, Senoga, Musoke, Mubiru, Kamoga, Bongole, Sebuyiira, Umony, Ssentongo, Senfuka
KEY BATTLES
Umony v Onyango
Umony is considered by many as the best forward this generation has had to offer. He will relish facing a custodian, whose strengths and weaknesses he knows.
Ssentongo v Khumalo
Ssentongo is savouring a spectacular renaissance at KCC.
However, the pocket-sized striker will need extra muscle to beat the 6ft3-tall defender Khumalo.