No chance to go top as KCCA visit Blacks Power

Julius Poloto and teammates train in Lira ahead of Wednesday's clash with Blacks Power /KCCA FC image

FOOTBALL No chance to go top as KCCA visit Blacks Power

Ndyamuhaki J Emanzi 22:38 - 04.04.2023

KCCA, on 36 points, are four points behind table leaders Villa (40), having played three fewer games and desperately want to win the games in hand to regain table leadership.

KCCA had the opportunity to back to the top of the Startimes Uganda Premier League when they hosted Maroons on Saturday.

But that chance slipped through Morley Byekwaso’s hands after a 1-all draw kept SC Villa in the driving seat.

And now, as KCCA visit Blacks Power in what is expected to be another stern test away from Lugogo, Villa have created a four-point cushion, leaving the Kasasiro Boys with more work to do to ascend back to the summit.

Jackson Magera’s charges defeated Bright Stars Tuesday evening to make their stay at the top a little more comfortable.

KCCA midfielder Julius Poloto is one of the players who travelled up North and is confident the troops know what to do to reclaim top spot.

“We are still focused. We know the importance of every game,” Poloto said ahead of Wednesday’s game.

“We want to win, and we just hope we can put up a good performance and go back to Kampala with the three points,” he added.

KCCA still need to stamp their authority in games and remain vulnerable even in fixtures against the supposed lesser sides.

The first-round clash between the two sides might have ended 4-1 in favour of KCCA at Lugogo, but it took some time for the Kasasiro Boys to get going.

All four goals came in the second half with a sense of unease in the terraces as Blacks Power looked to hold on.

Hell broke loose in the 51st minute when Allan Okello set up Rogers Mato to open the scoring.

Another three goals would follow while Blacks Power pulled one back through Bronson Nsubuga.

“The boys are focused to see that they win the game,” Byekwaso said upon the team’s arrival in Lira.

“There are problems we faced against Maroons, and we tried to sort them out in the second half, but things didn’t work well the way we wanted,” the tactician added.

“Now, this is the next game, and it has its own problems too. We need to see how we can make our team attack well but also not concede.”

The two teams meet with different objectives.

KCCA, on 36 points, are four points behind table leaders Villa (40), having played three fewer games and desperately want to win the games in hand to regain table leadership.

On the other hand, Blacks Power are in the relegation zone with just 15 points, two ahead of bottom side Onduparaka. The target is to stay in the division, and a win against a team like KCCA would be a huge boost going into the final bend of the season.

Vitalis Tabu, striker Dickens Okwir and Michael Siwu are some of the players Hussein Mbalangu can count on to torment KCCA.

Uganda Cranes forward Mato is the man in form for the visitors. After saving the Cranes' AFCON Qualifying campaign with a goal against Tanzania, he equalised to earn KCCA a point off a stubborn Maroons side on Saturday. 

Startimes Uganda Premier League

Wednesday fixture

Blacks Power vs. KCCA -2pm, Lira