Ugandan Premier League champions KCCA departed Kampala for Kenya this morning ahead of a series of warm-ups in the neighboring country over a period of one week.
While in Kenya, the 22-team will gauge themselves against four teams including Kenyan giants and current champions Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards, Tusker and Sofapaka.
KCCA and Gor will be representing their respective countries in the lucrative African Champions League this year while AFC Leopards will be playing in the CAF Confederation Cup.
KCCA and Gor will able also be defending their domestic honors this season.
Uganda’s PL resumes early February for the second leg while Kenya’s new season kicks-off same month.
“The tour will help strengthen us both mentally and physically, and I believe the four teams will give us a very good challenge,” KCCA coach Mike Mutebi said.
Mike strengthened the squad ahead of the trip by roping in six new faces including Okwalinga Solomon, Ikara Thomas, Musana Hassan, Matsiko ABubakari, Sserwadda Steven and Achai Herbert.
“We have a responsibility to better these players. They are young, hungry and we will give them a chance to play.
“The players are believers and are ready for any challenges,” Mutebi said at the unveiling ceremony in Kampala yesterday.
KCCA’s first friendly will be against Gor Mahia at Afraha Stadium, Nakuru.
Gor have been holding a high altitude camp at Egarton University in the larger Rift Valley region in the past weeks and have played a series of build-ups against local sides.
In one of such yesterday, K’Ogalo beat Egarton University combined 4-0.
The coach Dylan Kerr’s side is eyeing a spot in the champions league group stage and has recruited heavily to achieve this goal.
KCCA will face CNaPS of Madagascar in the preliminary round of the African Champions League while Gor will be up against Equatorial Guinea’s Leaones Vegetarianos at the same stage.
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.
The tour schedule