Orange Caf Champions League Preliminary round 1st leg:
Saturday 8, 2014
El Merrickh (Sudan) Vs KCC FC (Uganda) – Omdurman
For the first time since 2009, KCC FC returns to continental football on Saturday 8 when they play away to Sudan’s El Merrickh FC in the first leg of the preliminary round of the 2014 Caf Champions league.
Coincidently, it was the Sudan side that ended KCC FC’s dream of reaching the lucrative group stages then with a 2-1 aggregate defeat.
El Merrickh beat KCC FC 0-1 in the first leg at Nakivubo before Brian Umony inspired side drew 1-1 with the hosts in Khartoum in the second leg.
Ahead of the tie, Coach George Nsimbe is confident his side can pick a decent result in the first leg to build on going into the second leg which the Ugandan side hosts a week later at Namboole stadium.
“We have respect but not fear for El Merrickh,” Nsimbe told Kawowo Sports. “We have had ample preparations and am confident the boys will do well,” he added.
Nsimbe will miss the services of creative midfielder Steven Bengo who has been ruled due to a thigh injury but good news is that striker Tony Odur has been declared fit. The centre forward had earlier been doubtful with a toothache.
Odur is expected to lead the attack alongside Herman Wasswa whose goal scoring prowess saw him bag the golden boot with 20 goals last season.
Ivan Ntege and Brian Majwega who were not part of the Mapinduzi Cup winning squad while on duty with Uganda Cranes in the recently concluded Africa Nations Championship are expected to start.
Jamal Salim is expected to start in goal with Sakka Mpiima, Fahad Kawooya, Ayub Kizza and Habib Kavuma manning the backline.
Nsimbe may employ Ivan Ntege and Hakim Ssenkumba as two holding midfielders with Tom Masiko; Bengo’s likely replacement playing in front of them and off lead striker Wasswa with Odur and Majwega completing the attacking trio in a 4-3-3 formation.
On the other hand, El Merrickh whose preparations for this tie included trial matches against World and European club champions Bayern Munich and Russian giants Zenith will rely on midfielder Hisamu Mustafa for inspiration in the centre of the pack.
KCC FC Probable XI:
Jamal Salim (GK), Sakka Mpiima, Habib Kavuma, Ayub Kizza, Fahad Kawooya (c), Ivan Ntege, Hakim Ssenkumba, Tom Masiko, Tony Odur, Herman Wasswa and Brian Majwega
