KCCA’s new coaching duo, Brian Ssenyondo and Jackson Magera, had a difficult start to life in the dugout as their side fell 2-1 to rivals Villa in the FUFA Super 8 quarterfinal at Lugogo on Wednesday.
While Magera has been part of the technical setup at KCCA for years, the loss was a particularly sobering moment for Ssenyondo, who was taking charge at Lugogo for the first time.
The young tactician admitted that the result served as an important lesson.
“I believe it was a reality check for us,” Ssenyondo said after the match.
“Villa were better overall, especially in the first half. They pressed us well and denied us the chance to put together even three consecutive passes.”
“We tried to adjust in the second half, but they were still superior, and that’s where we lost it.”
Ssenyondo was also candid about his team being second best in the basics of the game.
“They were winning the first ball, the second ball, even the 50-50 situations. When a team is consistently sharper in those areas, you’re always chasing the game.”
Despite the defeat, he struck a note of optimism, pointing to the late goal as a reason to believe in the second leg.
“We still have a week to correct some mistakes. That late goal was important, and I believe we can come back here and overturn the result.”
Villa broke the deadlock in the 35th minute through former KCCA forward Hassan Mubiru, before Andrew Otim doubled the lead in the 87th minute.
KCCA pulled one back almost at the death when Sammy Ssebaduka scored with the final kick of the game, handing the Kasasiro Boys a valuable lifeline ahead of the return leg on September 10.
