CAF Confederation Cup: KCCA 3 Mtibwa Sugar 0

CAF CONFEDERATION CUP: FIRST ROUND

Saturday's First Leg result

KCCA FC 3  Mtibwa Sugar FC 0


By Joseph Kizza

@joekizza


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KAMPALA - A first half of missed opportunities was soon forgotten after three one-sided second-half goals helped KCCA FC to a comprehensive sweet victory over Mtibwa Sugar FC of Tanzania.

The resilience of the visitors in Saturday's CAF Confederation Cup first leg clash was soon dealt with three minutes into the second stanza.

StarTimes Stadium burst into life when Allan Kyambadde found the opener in the 48th minute.

Twenty-five minutes later, Patrick Kaddu doubled the score, before Allan Okello wrapped up a crucial win with a stunning strike three minutes before full time.

A massive win for the Kasasiro Boys.


A swift recovery

KCCA quickly shook off the hangover from their domestic league 3-2 defeat to Express FC earlier in the week with a convincing display at home.

The StarTimes Uganda Premier League current leaders knew they had to re-channel their focus to a crucial continental tie against Tanzania's Mtibwa Sugar, who are fourth in top-flight football back home.

Okello was favoured over Mawejje Muwadda in what was KCCA's only change from Tuesday's starting lineup, and the youngster made his intentions clear early with the first shot on goal.

It was a first test for goalkeeper Shaaban Shaaban, and should have given the visiting goalstopper a clear snapshot of what lay ahead.

It was a busy opening minutes for Shaaban, as he was often drawn into fine saves from Okello and namesake Kyambadde. The two Allans proved a formidable combination in the home attacking faculty.

Often, Kaddu was also involved - his header from a Mustafa Kizza cross in the 17th-minute whistled wide as KCCA hit the higher gears.

Kept at bay by the resilient Tanzanians, impatience soon got the better of some of Mike Mutebi's men, with captain Timothy Awany being the first player to get into the referee's book midway into the opening half.

Meanwhile, Kyambadde should have given KCCA the lead going into the break, but his successive headed attempts lacked in accuracy.

With an all-even goalless scoreline to show for, both sides returned to their dressing rooms to dot the 'i's and cross the 't's.

Come the second half and the game's complexion would soon change.

All signs were that Kyambadde, after being guilty of profligacy in the first stanza, had had his scoring boots shined. His 48th-minute strike from outside the box sparked the subdued stadium back to life.

On the hour mark, Muzamiru Mutyaba was introduced in place of Gift Ali in KCCA's first reform of the game.

Thirteen minutes later, Kaddu improved the home side's lead with a cute header. But the goalscorer did not last long, as he gave way for Muwadda.

KCCA made their final change with Mike Mutyaba's fresh legs hopping on to replace Jackson Nunda's weary ones.

As the minutes ticked away, a win for the hosts appeared to have been sealed, only awaiting confirmation from the referee's whistle.

Yet, there was still one more for the crowd to savour.

In the 87th minute, Okello struck beautifully to add the cherry on a lovely cake as KCCA wrapped up a convincing first leg victory.

The two East African sides will be back in action next Saturday for the second leg.

  A Uganda v Tanzania club clash


(Photos by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

The two sides walked out of the dugout to a filled stadium

Both teams' players exchanged handshakes before the game

Here is how KCCA FC lined up, with one change made. Timothy Awany had the captain's armband on

And, the visitors, wearing all-white and bits of green, started with this squad

The action got under way under glorious Kampala sunshine

Mustafa Kizza was in the heart of the action on Lugogo's astro-turf

Despite the hosts's huffing and puffing, first half remained a goalless affair

The intensity of the game was all on display under sweltering temperatures

Allan Kyambadde was a force to reckon with. He opened the goal fest with a 48th-minute strike

Kaddu, too, had his name on the scoresheet.

And how he enjoyed every bit it! Now that's how you celebrate a goal!