Africa-Press – Uganda. Stylish midfielder Muzamir Mutyaba broke some KCCA hearts when he was unveiled as a Red Eagle on January 27, 2021.
This was after KCCA coaches had jettisoned him a few months earlier, against the fans’ wish, asserting that he had outlived his efficacy.
Today, fans would have had the chance to applaud him for the first time as Express visit KCCA in the Stanbic Uganda Cup quarterfinal second leg.They won’t get that chance at his old hunting ground – the MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo.
Suspension
Yesterday, amid rising cases of Covid-19, the local football body, Fufa, suspended the start of the lower division and banned fans from stadiums.
“As you are all aware according to statistics from the Ministry of Health there is an upsurge in the number of COVID-19 cases as well as deaths in Uganda,” the statement reads.
“Fufa had earlier allowed up to 200 fans to watch FUFA organised and FUFA authorized competitions with strong adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). This is no longer tenable in the current situation.
“Therefore, in order to ensure the Health and Safety of players, technical staff and all stakeholders, all matches shall be played without spectators or fans until further notice,” Decolas Kizza, the Fufa deputy chief executive officer, wrote.
Five years
That immediately eroded some of the juice for Mutyaba, who won almost everything at KCCA where he was considered one of the best in the league between 2015 and 2020. Now, the attacking midfielder must bite the hand that once fed him to aid the Red Eagles’ push for a league and cup double. The first leg ended goalless.
In fact, his role could be elevated as reports indicate strikers Eric Kambale and Frank Kalanda are unlikely to feature. “We respect KCCA because it is a big team but we are going out there to win,” Mutyaba says. “ I’m focused and ready to help my current team progress to the next round.”
Bench player
Mutyaba is yet to recapture his actual groove at Wankulukuku and has been unable to force his way into coach Wasswa Bbosa’s team. A fully fit Mutyaba would no doubt be a menace to Morley Byekwaso’s on-and-off KCCA.
Mutyaba’s five-month stay at Wankulukuku has been plagued with injuries and a bout of malaria, meaning he has only been able to make three starting appearances and a couple of cameo roles.
“I have been trying to be in good form. The final bend is here (Express lead the league log with four matches left) and that is where I want to help my club most.“Winning a silverware is key this season and I’m focused on making it happen,” Mutyaba reveals.
No Kambale
Missing 15-goal hero Kambale, through suspension, may force Bbosa’s hand into playing Mutyaba through the middle and pushing attacking midfielder Charles Musiige into the false nine role.
Mustafa Kiraga is the other striking option should Express adopt a purely attacking approach against a presumably hungrier KCCA.“We need to come all out to win and play well, we have to be better in possession to overcome Express,” Byekwaso noted. “We won’t allow Express in our half because they have many athletic direct forwards.This is like a final. We are hungrier than them so we need to win.” He will have forwards Sadat Anaku and Sam Ssenyonjo return.
In the first match at 1pm at the same venue, Abdallah Mubiru’s Police will seek to kill off Wakiso Giants that trail 3-1 from the first leg.
QuarterfinalS – TODAY
Police (3) vs. (1) WakisoGiants,1pmKCCA (0) vs. (0) Express,3:30pmVenue: MTN Phillip OmondiStadium, LugogoBoth Matches Live on UBC TV
