Mtibwa unfazed by KCCA threat

Dar es Salaam. Mtibwa Sugar departed for Kampala, Uganda yesterday, exuding confidence that they will put KCCA to the sword.

Speaking before travelling to the Ugandan capital, Mtibwa Suhgar head coach Zuberi Katwila said they were well prepared to register an away win in the first round of the Caf Confederation Cup. The two teams, which have rarely clashed in recent competitions, will square off at the Phillip Omondi Stadium with the kick off slated for 4pm.

According to Katwila, they were aware of the threat the Ugandan team poses considering their performance in the previous Caf African Champions League when they sailed through to the group stage.

The Morogoro-based team reached the first round of Africa’s second tier competition after demolishing a Seychelles side, Northern Dynamo, on a 5-0 aggregate.

“KCCA is a good team and judging from last year’s performance in the Champions League, but that does not perturb,” admitted Katwila, the former midfield maestro of the Manungu-based outfit.

“I am confident that we will record a positive result in Uganda. My players are psyched up heading into the match, which will be officiated by Comorian referees.”

The referees, who will handle the match, are Ali Mohamed Adelaid, who will be assisted by his countrymen Soulaimane Amaldine and Mmadi Faissoil.

Adding further, Katwila said they will not employ a defensive strategy even though they will be playing on a foreign turf.

“We aren’t going to be defensive against KCCA, we will play our normal attacking football and hopefully we will have the last laugh,” he said.

He added: “We will ensure that KCCA play according to our game strategy. We’ve played them before, so we, at least, know how to contain them.”

The coach will be banking his hopes on red-hot striker, Japhary Kibaya, who bangs the nests almost a will.

He scored a hat-trick against Northern Dynamo recently. For his part, Kibaya voiced optimism that they will outdo the Ugandan team on their home soil before finishing them off in the return leg.

“The team has morale to win every match and I am optimistic of replicating my scoring spree against KCCA,” said Kibaya.

Meanwhile, Nigerian referees will officiate the African Champions League match pitting Simba against Nkana FC, which will be held in Kitwe, Zambia tomorrow.

The referee is Salisu Basheer, who will be assisted by linesmen Peter Eigege Ogwu and Efosa Celestine Igudia.