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It was less than four months ago that I wrote how KCCA FC had against all odds convinced both the media and their fans that a quality 2020/2021 season was on the horizon. The time I had suggested, many neutrals (myself conclusive) had doubted this gigantic of clubs would pull off the commitment.
As we make sense of their recent poor run of form, it seems almost irrelevant to say that we could see this coming, that we knew the massive exodus of key players that had been with the club for the past five years was always bound to hurt them, and the influx of new players who were to require assimilation time was to the detriment of their title hopes because where Mike Mutebi is involved, the normal set of rules never seem to apply.
As much as I thought I understood KCCA FC from my time as part of their secretariat in 2018, it turns out that I know close to nothing about them anymore which makes my analysis of them even more interesting.
The reason is simply that the evolution of the club under the stewardship of Mike Hillary Mutebi as head coach has brought about close to 5 different KCCA teams. The offensive masterclass team, the ruthless title contenders, the lacklustre side, the defensively inadequate side and of course the mouthwatering and beautiful to watch side. All these make up the team we have watched for the past five years. On a good game day, three of the sides can coexist at the same time.
The three back-to-back defeats in the league against their arch-nemesis SC Villa, URA FC and BUL FC with the latter coming only a few days ago have more than ever exposed their shortcomings in defence. Majority of the fans have gone ahead to blatantly highlight that the team is unable to defend a game of football and discredited the club’s title credentials. Many of these fans would gladly kill for their team’s clean sheet.
In essence, however, the attack has for long been the ultimate cover for Mutebi’s side as he so often loves to remind us of the Dutch genius and philosopher Yohan Cruyff, whose time as a player-most notably during the 1974 World Cup hosted by West German went ahead to lead Holland to the finals only to lose 3-2 to the hosts in a game where pragmatism overcame fantasy. The Dutch played the most attractive football at the tournament but lost to a pragmatic West German. Similar cases can be seen for teams like Hungary in 1954 and Brazil in 1982.
The bottom line is that Yohan Cruyff’s life in football, both as a player and coach helps breath life into Mike Mutebi’s proverbial football philosophy. Cruyff’s work in setting up the Ajax team that would go ahead to conquer Europe in the late 80s before moving to Barcelona where he would recreate his mastery is all Mike has ever wanted to emulate.
Mutebi’s obsession with the 2008/2009 treble-winning Barcelona team under the stewardship of Pep Guardiola also can’t go unmentioned. In his assessment, while referring to that year’s UEFA champions league final against Manchester United in a conversation with me, he had this to say: “The team played total football and that is one of the most amazing games I have ever watched.” The style of play of that team is what he has for long envisaged his team to look like.
All this plays a factor in his refusal to adjust his philosophy even when results aren’t going his way.
It is this self-esteem (described as arrogance by many) that has put the Kasasiro boys in the competitive position during his tenure. Rightfully so, his belief in the strength of his directing hand has never wavered but perhaps only because it has never been tested until this season. The records are bad this season and the fans aren’t happy, many have gone ahead to ask for his head.
The provocation of this hunger is because their team has never experienced such a poor run of results under him. In the last 5 years, KCCA FC has never lost 3 games in their opening 6 fixtures but as if that isn’t bad enough, their goals have since reduced after an 8-0 butcher of Onduparaka FC back in November 2020.
The goals and the offensive flea have for long been the trademark of KCCA FC and the reason why those that associate a lot with them do. They are the ultimate epitome of perfection when talking beautiful football in the Ugandan sense. They have been the benchmark for other teams in the league until now that things aren’t going their way. Everything seems to have gone astray in a few months and many trace this back to the preseason business.
The fans argue that team’s defensive inadequacies are thanks to the departures of players like Timothy Awany and the rest who haven’t been adequately replaced. Even where replaced, injuries to John Revita and the constant changes in the partnerships at the back haven’t helped the likes of Samuel Kato to create chemistry with others like Filbert Obenchan, Hassan Musana, Peter Magambo and now with the experienced Denis Iguma. They argue that consistency should be maintained in team selection.
While addressing the offensive aspect of the game, the fans applauded Brian Aheebwa and his incredible form but also highlighted the fact that his understudy, Sadat Anaku is barely ready for playing more competitive games in the league. In all fairness, KCCA FC doesn’t have the luxury of strikers like Derrick Nsibambi, Shaban Muhammad and Patrick Kaddu like they did during the 2017/2018 season.
The club has had to sell many influential players over the past years and laid off almost all creative players at the start of this season. The likes of Sadan Juma Ibrahim, Muzamiru Mutyaba and Jackson Nunda who many fans felt could still give more to the club were moved on in preseason while Allan Okello and Mustafa Kizza had earlier been sold to Paradou AC and CF Montreal respectively. Mike Mutyaba hang his boots at the end of the season.
The club has since replaced these incredible players with Bright Anukani (who has been unlucky with injuries), and Juma Balinya who many argue has been more often than not played out of position. The front players like Sam Senyonjo still lack experience and need to first establish themselves.
Their premature exit from the CAF confederation cup was also hurting at many levels. Especially considering the fact that the first leg wasn’t played but points awarded to AS Kigali. Brian Aheebwa’s second leg Hat-trick at st. Mary’s Stadium wasn’t enough to ensure they progressed to the next level. This could probably be classified as bad luck more than anything.
The good news for Mutebi, however, is that his dressing room in intact despite the tantrums from the fans. The season is still young and KCCA can still recover from this unprecedented plummet. Their recovery will, however, have to start at the Muteesa II Wakulukuku stadium against an on-form Express FC side tomorrow.
Express FC themselves are unbeaten this season and currently seating fouth on the log with 12 points out of 6 matches, three better of KCCA FC’s nine. There most recent result against URA FC will give them the necessary confidence to take on the already harmed Lugogo side. Mike insists all hope isn’t lost for his side this season.
This game comes timely and is destined to make or break KCCA FC’s season. The fans are making the noise now and you would think it won’t be long before the powers that be at Lugogo to grant their dissatisfactions the necessary attention.
KCCA being the force they are in Ugandan football are expected to compete for the title every season even when it seems unrealistic like this season. They have set the bar high enough that not even themselves can currently hit the standards. My humble opinion is that they forget all about the league this season and rebuild a squad to conquer Ugandan football yet again for success is backed by the hard work and not mere wishes.
