New-look Tusker face Uganda's KCCA at Ruaraka

Tusker head coach Sam Timbe (second right) gives instructions to players during a training session on January 9, 2017 at Ruaraka grounds. Tusker on April 22, 2018 sent the entire technical bench packing. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

What you need to know:

  • KCCA are in Kenya for a week-long midseason tour that saw them play Gor Mahia in Nakuru on Saturday afternoon, a match that ended 4-2 in favour of the Kenyan champions.

Kenyan Premier League giants Tusker will on Monday face off with Ugandan champions KCCA in a friendly match at the Ruaraka grounds.

This will be Tusker’s first major preseason engagement as the team with their massive rebuilding process following the departure of 14 key players at the end of last season.

Captain James Situma, Kenyan international Allan Wanga, midfielder Humphrey Mieno and speedy winger Noah Wafula were among the mainstay players who were axed in the massive cleanup by the brewers.

Others are Cersidy Lumumba, Danson Kago, Ekaliani Ndolo, Luis Misiko, Martin Kizza, Moses Ndawula, George Mandela, Victor Ndinya, Stephen Owusu and Clifford Alwanga.

This purge marked the beginning Sam Timbe’s reign as Tusker coach, taking over from fellow Ugandan George “Best” Nsimbe who was shown the door shortly before the end of the season for poor performance.

Timbe, who has 11 new recruits, will be using this match to evaluate the strength of his new look squad as he prepares for the new season.

“Winning the trophy would be good for us, but I have so many new players so I have to try and build the team first. This friendly will be a chance to measure our level of preparedness now that we have had one month of intensive preparation,” Timbe told Nation Sport.

KCCA are in Kenya for a week-long midseason tour that saw them play Gor Mahia in Nakuru on Saturday afternoon, a match that ended 4-2 in favour of the Kenyan champions.

Coach Mike Mutebi said they missed four key players in the match and stated that they will aim to do better in their next tie against Tusker. The four players missing from Mutebi’s squad are Benjamin Ochan, Isaac Mulume, Sadaam Juma and star striker Derrick Nsibambi who are with the national team in Morocco for the ongoing African Nations Championship.

NEW SIGNINGS

The Ugandan champions however boast several new signings who are eager to prove themselves and earn a place in Mutebi’s first team. The fresh faces include Solomon Okwalinga formerly for Mbarara City, Thomas Ikara (Kirinya Jinja), Hassan Musana (Bull FC), Matsiko Abubakari (Katale Soccer Club), Steven Sserwadda and Herbert Achai from the KCCA junior team.

“We are preparing for the champions league, because this time we must get to the group stage again. It is unfortunate that we lost against Gor Mahia, but that was an experienced team and I didn’t have all my players. I believe we shall perform better against Tusker,” he said.

The brewers had a dismal 2017 season in which they ended up trophy less despite winning both the GOtv Shield and the Kenyan Premier League in 2016.

Tusker squad:
David Okello, Duncan Ochieng, Hashim Sempala, Apollo Otieno, Collins Shivachi, Justine Omari, Lloyd Wahome, Eugene Asike, Brian Osumba, Matthew Odongo, Boniface Muchiri, Jackson Macharia, Eric Ambunya, David Mwangi, Robert Achema, Peter Nzuki, Timothy Otieno, Mike Khamati, Paul Muchika

KCCA squad:

Jamal Maliyamungu, Tom Ikara, Habib Kavuma, Denis Okot, Hassan Musana, Filbert Ochen, Hassan Matovu, Solomon Okwalinga, Ibrahim Wamannah, Julius Poloto, Allan Okello, Salim Kyobe, Herbert Achai, Lawrence Bukenya, Peter Magambo, Walter Ochora, Steven Sserwadda, Eric Senjobe, Isaac Kirabira, Brian Umony, Innocent Aniku and Saddiq Sekyembe