KCCA FC confronts costly proposition to keep star duo

Allan Okello in action for KCCA FC against Mbarara City in the Stanbic Uganda Cup /KCCA FC media

TRANSFERS KCCA FC confronts costly proposition to keep star duo

Shafic Kiyaga 16:24 - 31.05.2023

The club has been informed that they will need to allocate a minimum of UGX 226 million (USD 60,000) to retain the talents of these two players.

Kampala Capital City Authority Football Club (KCCA FC) has received a hefty demand from star players Allan Okello and Mustafa Kizza to secure their services for the upcoming season.

The club has been informed that they will need to allocate a minimum of UGX 226 million (USD 60,000) to retain the talents of these two players.

Okello, who joined KCCA FC on a season-long loan from Algerian club Paradou, still has one year remaining on his contract with the Algerian club.

After a disappointing season for KCCA FC, Okello bid farewell to the club, expressing his desire to stay but requesting a contract extension worth USD 30,000 (approximately UGX 113 million).

The forward was a standout performer for the team, contributing four goals and eight assists in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League, earning him the club's player of the season award.

Okello on Wednesday, said his goodbyes to the club, after ‘days of reflecting’ on what he described as a ‘very disappointing season, where they failed to achieve their ultimate goal’.

“I’ve taken the last few days to reflect on the just concluded season,” he said in a statement posted on his social media.

“Our dream from the beginning was to win the double this season, and it’s only right to accept that it was a very disappointing season for us.”

“While we may not have achieved our ultimate goal, I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude.”

“A special thank you to our fans for welcoming me back at the club, an experience that I will always cherish and take with me forever.”

“Despite the setbacks we faced, you never gave up, and always pushed us until the very end,” he added.

Okello remains a fans’ favourite at Lugogo, having come through the ranks of the club academy before rising to be one of the best players of his generation.

To his fellow players, Okello urged them to pick lessons and move on.

“To my fellow teammates, there’s no failure in football, we always learn from even the harshest of experiences and I strongly believe you still have whatever it takes to achieve the dream at this great football club come next season,” he continued.

“To everyone at the club, thank you for your unwavering support and belief. Together, we have created memories that will last a lifetime, and I am forever grateful.”

As of now, Okello has been summoned to join the Uganda Cranes team for the Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers against Algeria on June 18.

Similarly, Kizza, whose six-month contract with KCCA FC ended this season, has also expressed his desire to continue at the club.

However, he has set a condition that the club meets his demands of USD 30,000.

Despite limited playing time since returning from Portuguese side FC Arouca, Kizza is highly respected within the team and has a successful history with KCCA FC.

The left full back has played only six times in the six months he has spent at Lugogo.

Both Okello and Kizza rose through the ranks of the KCCA FC academy and were instrumental in the club's achievements, including winning their first league and Uganda Cup double.

They were also key players during the team's participation in the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederations Cup.