KCCA FC depart for Botswana

KCCA staff and players before departing for Botswana

KCCA FC departed for Botswana on Wednesday morning, where that are poised to take part in the first game of the 2018 CAF Champions League qualifiers over the weekend.

A contingent of 32 personnel consisting of players and officials left the country at 03:20am aboard Kenya Airways.

The travelling contingent comprised of three club officials, 17 players, seven coaches, one kits-man, two medical doctors and two media personnel.

The notable exclusions from the team that left include, midfielders Muzamir Mutyaba and Ibrahim Saddam Juma plus goalkeeper Charles Lukwago.

Mutyaba and Saddam have been injured for some time now, missing several league and cup games.

For Lukwago, the custodian is suspended for one game on the continent after accumulation of yellow cards during the qualifiers against not Madagascan side CNaPS Sport and Ethiopia’s St. George.

With Lukwago out suspended, it leaves KCCA with only two fit first team goalkeepers in Tom Ikara and Jamil Malyamungu.

Ikara started the 2-1 win away to Express on Tuesday but got injured in the 78th minute and although the former Kirinya JSS shot stopper, finished the game, he was clearly in some massive pain and looking at him before he boarded the plane, he looked to be in some discomfort.

KCCA will take on Botswana Champions, Township Rollers over the weekend before returning to Kampala and full fill league duties where they currently seat second on the table.

To get to the CAF Champions’ League group stages, KCCA eliminated CNaPS Sport in the preliminary stage on away goals after the teams drew 2-2 over two legs.

They them took care of Robert Odongokara’s St. George 1-0 over two legs with Shaban Muhammad scoring the all-important goal in the second leg at Lugogo.

This is the first time under the current format that a Ugandan team takes part in the CAF Champions League proper.