With the start of the 2022/23 StarTimes Uganda Premier League season looming, KCCA FC have arguably the best striker and creative midfielder on their roaster.
Muhammad Shaban and Allan Okello are the players in question, and the latter is looking forward to providing as many assists as possible for the former.
“The team has changed but still, there are familiar faces in the likes Ali Mwirusi, Julius Poloto, and Filbert Obenchan and just like me, Shaban is also back at the club,” Okello said in his first interview with the club media.
“We all know what Shaban is capable of doing when it comes to scoring goals and, I have played with him here and on the national team.”
“I believe we are going to have a good time together and I am hopeful that I am going to make for him as many assists as I can.”
“Generally, I am optimistic that this coordination and the working together as a team will help the club so much to try and fight for silverware,” Okello noted.
Shaban returned to KCCA on a three-year permanent contract from Onduparaka FC while Okello is back on a one-year loan deal from Algerian side AC Paradou.
For their maiden stints at the club, Okello was promoted from the development side to the senior team in 2017 and during the same year, the Kasasiro Boys also signed Shaban from Onduparaka.
A year later, after scoring 13 league goals, Shaban joined Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca but in 2019 he signed for Vipers SC before rejoining his boyhood club Onduparaka in 2021 from where he has returned to Lugogo.
In his maiden stint at Lugogo, Okello scored 39 goals in 112 games in a three-year period, before departing for Paradou in 2020.
Last season, Shaban was the second-highest goal scorer in the SUPL with 15 goals, three short of top scorer Cesar Manzoki who was at Vipers SC, but has since left for Dalian Pro FC in China.
During the same season, KCCA struggled with scoring goals and there is optimism that Shaban and Okello will be the solution.
In total, KCCA made 12 signings and besides Shaban and Okello, Moses Waiswa is another high-profile name that was acquired from South African outfit SuperSport United.
Daniel Isiagi (returnee), Mustafa Mujuzi, Muhamed Ssenoga, Tshisungu Kankonde, Faisal Wabyoona, Saidi Mayanja, Haruna Lukwago, Rogers Atube, and Allan Enyou were the other signings.
However, the latter joined Elite Falcons FC in the United Arab Emirates on a one-year loan deal together with Elvis Mwanje.
Silverware has eluded KCCA for three seasons and they will be aiming for at least a title in the 2022/23 campaign.
The 13-time SUPL champions will kick off their new campaign against Wakiso Giants FC on Saturday, October 1.
