Jackson Magera wary of robust Vipers, preaches belief to KCCA players

Jackson Magera wary of robust Vipers, preaches belief to KCCA players|KCCA FC IMAGE

UGANDA PREMIER LEAGUE Jackson Magera wary of robust Vipers, preaches belief to KCCA players

Allan Damba • 14:49 - 09.11.2023

Magera, who is fully aware of the current difference in form and class, wants his players to believe and work their socks off to grind out a positive result.

KCCA FC interim head coach Jackson Magera doesn't expect their woeful run to affect their performance as they welcome arch-enemy Vipers SC at the MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo, on Friday.

KCCA sit at the base of the Uganda Premier League table with one point in six matches and faces a strong Vipers team that occupies third with 14 points.

Magera, who is fully aware of the current difference in form and class, wants his players to believe and work their socks off to grind out a positive result.

"They (Vipers) are the title holders, are in good shape, good players, experienced so we have to handle them with care," Magera told the press on Thursday ahead of the tie.

"But we have to organize them (KCCA players) well, play with responsibility and have self-belief that they can play and rub shoulders with the Vipers players," he added.

"We have to motivate them, encourage them to believe, and preach to them that they can (win). It's about believing in themselves, playing well and doing things with more responsibility."

Kitara FC's Benjamin Nyakoojo battling KCCA FC's Muhammad Shaban / KCCA FC Image

Magera also highlighted the rise in the team's confidence following their one-all draw with Arua Hill SC last time out and that they will use it to spur them to triumph against the Venoms.

"The confidence was low, but after that draw in Adjumani, the players are motivated, and the confidence is rising."

Allan Okello (L) left Hillary Mukundane for dead as KCCA defeated Vipers at Lugogo last season | KCCA FC Image

"We managed to acquire that point against Arua Hill, and it wasn't an easy team, very combative, and organized and acquiring that point will help us put a good performance against Vipers, and we shall get a positive result."

Despite creating multiple chances in the previous games, KCCA have uncharacteristically been low convertors, scoring just four times in the league so far, this season.

"We have to keep doing that (create), and time will come when we have the momentum to take away those chances."

One of the melees in the Vipers KCCA game|courtesy image

Meanwhile, KCCA were 1-0 victors in the previous meeting in Lugogo last season, with the departed Rogers Mato netting the solitary goal.

However, the Vipers managed to avenge in the latter stages of the season, with Milton Karisa handing them a 1-0 win to eventually lift the championship.