This week marks the first anniversary of Abdallah Mubiru’s appointment at KCCA. It has been a year of highs and lows. Few could have predicted his side would lie 1st in the Uganda Premier League table at the moment given where he found the team.
The soft-spoken ex-midfielder replaced Portuguese Sergio Traguil who oversaw KCCA’s worst start in history with just one point in five matches.
In fact, transforming KCCA’s fortunes then looked never likely to be easy for a tactician who was shown exit from Lugogo over a decade ago and truth be said, not many Kasasiro faithful welcomed the idea of appointing Mubiru.
This means the ex-Police, Vipers and Uganda Cranes coach had to contend with problems not only on the pitch but also off it to get the backing of everyone especially the fans.
Mubiru found KCCA languishing in relegation with only four points and over 20 behind then early pacesetters for the 2023/24 season Kitara and BUL.
They had scored only scored six goals and conceded 12 in the process with no clean sheet and written off in the title race.
However, by the end of the campaign, KCCA ranked number 1st in goals scored with 54, ranked 7th in the best defence column with 33 goals conceded and sat 5th on the table with 49 points, only eight behind eventual winners SC Villa.
In the Stanbic Uganda Cup, they were eliminated in the quarter final by BUL on penalties after a 1-1 draw in normal time.
KCCA last season’s finish raised expectations
Under Mubiru, KCCA collected more points than any other team, produced the top scorer Muhammad Shaban and this only raised expectations.
KCCA had beaten champions SC Villa home and away, avenged defeats to Express and NEC and also got their first away win at St. Mary’s stadium, Kitende against growing rivals Vipers.
Soon though, the expectations began to fade with the departures of key players Muhammad Shaban, Herbert Achai and fan favourite Mustapha Kizza.
Then came the Fufa Super 8 pre-season tournament that saw KCCA lose to Kitara 4-3 on aggregate.
But in reality, Mubiru had improved results against the big boys, introduced a structure on the pitch that brought the best out of his players and the players fought for each other.
New season vibes
With the departure of Shaban, many wondered where goals would come from but Mubiru didn’t look worried.
“If we can get the attacking midfielders scoring, the void left by Shaban will be easily filled and I am confident in the lads,” he said.
Thankfully, old boys Derrick Nsibambi and Sadat Anaku arrived and though they haven’t been in the team consistently due to injuries, goals have come with KCCA only failing to score just once in eight matches this season.
They are unbeaten and top of the standings and many bookmarkers’ favourites to go head-to-head with Vipers for the title.
KCCA’s numbers under Mubiru
Excluding Fufa Super 8 matches, Mubiru has managed 34 competitive matches since his appointment with 30 of those in the league and four in the Stanbic Uganda Cup.
KCCA have won 20 of those matches which amounts to a winning percentage of 58.8%, drawn 7 and lost as many – though one on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
During that run, KCCA has scored 65 goals, conceded 24, kept 14 clean sheets and failed to score in only four matches.
Impregnable home record
The MTN Omondi stadium, Lugogo has become a fortress under Mubiru with only one defeat and two draws in 14 matches keeping 10 clean sheets and conceding just 5 goals scoring 35.
Summary of KCCA numbers under Mubiru
- Games Played: 34
- Wins: 20
- Draws: 7
- Losses: 7
- Goals Scored: 65
- Goals Conceded: 24
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