KCCA poster boy Okello ready for any challenge

KAMPALA. A hat-trick in the 7-0 mauling of Onduparaka in his domestic league debut, and a promising first half cameo in the 2-1 defeat away to then African champions Mamelodi Sundowns introduced Allan Okello to the wider world two years ago.
His manager Mike Mutebi has since kept up the faith in Okello and his peers; going on to present arguably the youngest squad on the continent with the average age of 23-24 in the 2018 Caf Champions League campaign.
Okello, Mustafa Kizza, Julius Poloto, and Filbert Obenchan among others are some of the shining stories from KCCA’s junior side.
Infuse in matured skipper and defender Timothy Awany, a rejuvenated Sadam Juma, new arrivals Nicholas Kasozi, Allan Kyambadde, Gift Ali, Suleiman Mutyaba, Musa Esenu and the fired-up Patrick Kaddu and you have a real championship team.
Inevitably, reigning Uganda Premier League (UPL) champions Vipers will be looking at Lugogo as enemy number one, and 19-year-old Okello is not afraid of telling them KCCA are coming for their trophy - and any other.
“We are starting the season with clear targets,” said the forward, “We want to defend the Uganda Cup, to win the league, to win the Super Cup and to do better than we did in our previous continental assignments.”
The youngster speaks with the authority and certainty with which he cuts inside to curl the ball in, and an assuredness with which he sells his opponents dummies before being his own lead car en route to a preferred destination.
“Personally, I think I have gained experience over the past two years,” he said after the first of KCCA’s daily two-session trainings, “But am still learning.”
Asked about his readiness for the senior national team, he did not hold back. “I keep working hard every day so that I’m ready whenever called upon.
“I support the national team coach (Sebastien Desabre) and our team but whether am ready for the national team, I tell you am ready for any challenge.”
“I want to score more goals in the new season, to create more chances, to be a better player.”
Mutebi, the KCCA manager, has released seven players and brought in on as many. KCCA are not the only ones that looked good in the market as Vipers have also significantly shopped, while there are telling vibes at Villa, Express and Onduparaka among others.
“I think this season will be tougher than last;” explained Okello, “First, within us we have very good players in every position, so it will be a difficult decision for the coach to pick who plays, which is good for the team.
“And then other teams have also improved their squads. But we have the advantage because we have stayed together and know each other, we have an identity and combine well.”
Having failed to qualify for the Caf Champions League following their surrender of the domestic league title to Vipers, KCCA will now represent Uganda in the Confederation Cup.
“We want to make the group stage of the Confederation Cup and then have another attempt at the quarterfinals,” said. Of course we want to reclaim the local league and defend the Uganda Cup. We shall go out to win every competition we are in.”
KCCA will boast of the organic growth at the club, most of the players having been together for at least three years now; and with the boost especially in the midfield, it would be foolhardy to doubt the yellow brigade’s charge on all fronts.