It’s the start of a long journey; we can only get better - KCCA’s Mubiru

KCCA FC's Ettiene Katenga scored his first goal for the club against Gaddafi FC

UPL It’s the start of a long journey; we can only get better - KCCA’s Mubiru

Brian Aheebwa 13:22 - 02.12.2023

KCCA FC’s new head coach, Abdallah Mubiru, is not getting carried away by his side’s thrilling victory over Gaddafi FC in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League.

The Kasasiro Boys registered their first win under the stewardship of Mubiru thanks to a 6-1 win at the MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo, on Friday evening.

“We are trying to get the club back on track, and it is a long journey,” Mubiru told the media in the aftermath of the game at Lugogo.

Dominic Ayella has scored in two straight games for KCCA

“The players put up a strong performance, and we were all impressed, especially in the first half, and we can only keep improving,” he noted.

Muhammad Shaban and Usama Arafat managed a brace each, while Ettiene Katanga and Dominic Ayella also had their names on the scoreboard for the hosts.

Usama Arafat scored a brace taking his tally to three goals this season

Katanga opened the scoring in the 18th minute, Shaban scored twice in quick succession in the 23rd and 25th minutes, while Usama’s double came in the 32nd and 40th minutes.

After the restart of the second half, the visitors pulled a goal back through Sharifu Ssengendo’s beautiful goal at the hour mark before Ayella scored another goal for KCCA in the 88th minute.

Shaban and Usama, who were chasing a hat trick apiece, were substituted toward the hour mark, and according to Mubiru, it was essential to withdraw them from the game at that point.

“They performed well scoring twice, but they were not fit enough, and at one point, we thought they would not play, especially Shaban,” Mubiru stated.

Ettiene Katenga is one of the foreign players at KCCA

“He had a knock coming into the game, and I believe his health is better than the hat trick because we still have more games ahead of us.”

“They are both significant players to our team, and given the game situation, that was the right time to substitute them.”

Shaban is KCCA’s most on-form player; he has six goals, one behind SUPL’s joint leading goal scorers Nelson Ssenkatuka of Bright Stars FC and BUL FC’s Alex Kitata, though the former has played fewer games compared to the other two strikers.

Usama has scored three league goals so far; Ayella netted for the second game in a row, while new signing Katenga opened his goal account at Lugogo.

Mubiru can not be happier for the win, given that he had lost his first game 2-1 away to Busoga United FC last week.

It was the 13-time SUPL champions’ second win in nine games this season and the biggest scoreline the SUPL has witnessed this season so far.

KCCA leapfrogged Wakiso Giants FC to move into the 14th position with seven points and will return to action on December 11 away to Bright Stars.