Mutebi to unleash 'new Okello' after Allan's departure

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In Sunday Opio, KCCA FC Coach Mike Mutebi believes he has a perfect replacement for departed play-maker and striker Allan Okello who signed for Algeria's Paradou AC last week.

After bidding farewell to Okello and wishing him well at his new club, Mutebi told a press conference on Friday that the club has many talented players from whom they will find a replacement.

KCCA had just beaten Tooro United 1-0 at Lugogo with another academy graduate Opio netting the important goal.

"We are going to miss Okello but KCCA has many talents, you will see a ‘new Okello' very soon from our academy graduates," Mutebi said.

On Okello's departure, Mutebi said: "It is the right for him to go because he is a confident player.

"As a club that natured him, it gives us much joy exporting such a talent and the mere fact that at 19 years of age he has caught the attention of such a club; I wish him well and I will keep monitoring his progress," Mutebi remarked.

But a few weeks ago Mutebi had stated that Okello and Mustafa Kizza were not ready for professional football demands and had advised them to wait for at least another two years.

"Okello and Kizza should be patient, as their coach, I know their capacity and I know they are not ready for the pressure that comes playing for those clubs," Mutebi reacted then and in reference to others players who have not served for more than two seasons at foreign clubs.

Okello who is the 2019 Airtel FUFA male player of the year scored in the 4-1 elimination of Paradou AC in the CAF Confederation Cup last year in Algiers.

Meanwhile, Kizza who was also on the verge of leaving the club will have to wait a little longer after his move to Hassania Union Sport Agadir, a Moroccan club was halted. 

Kizza and Agadir had agreed to everything as far as his move was concerned but KCCA was not involved in the negotiation which is illegal for a player that is still contracted to the club.

It was thus agreed that Agadir resubmits their original proposal to KCCA so that negotiations can start.

"We decided Kizza should return because Agadir abused the original understanding with us (KCCA). If they still want him, let them come back with the original proposal and we can negotiate his transfer," Mutebi explained.