Meanwhile, Shaban's absence only adds to the troubles at the club, which sacked their head coach, Sergio Traguil, along with his deputy Luis Manuel Correira Guerreiro.
Thirteen-time Uganda Premier League champions KCCA FC have confirmed striker Muhammad Shaban is out of their hugely anticipated encounter with neighbours NEC FC on Thursday.
Shaban, who is apparently out with illness, won't play for the Kasasiro Boys in a must-win tie at the MTN Omondi Stadium.
"Shaban (Muhammad) is down with some little malaria," KCCA interim head coach Jackson Magera revealed to the club media on Wednesday.
Shaban has recently been their only spark, as he has scored three goals this season, including two in the league and one in the CAF Confederation Cup.
13:51 - 25.10.2023
FOOTBALL Jackson Magera: New KCCA head coach outlines plan of getting the team back on track
With the gloom at the club, Magera insists they can only turn around the fortunes with victory on Thursday.
The coach also confirmed captain Julius Poloto is back with individual training but will still sit out the bout on home turf.
"Poloto (Julius), our captain, is improving, doing light training, but he is not ready for the match."
Meanwhile, Shaban's absence only adds to the troubles at the club, which sacked their head coach, Sergio Traguil, along with his deputy Luis Manuel Correira Guerreiro.
This came amid an abysmal start to the 2023/24 Uganda Premier League season that has had them suffer four defeats on the bounce.
17:56 - 24.10.2023
FOOTBALL Sergio Traguil: KCCA sack head coach after just four months
Thirteen-time Uganda Premier League champions KCCA FC have confirmed partying ways with head coach Sergio Daniel Moniz Traguil, after just four months in the job.
KCCA lost to BUL FC (1-0), Maroons FC (2-1), Express FC (2-1) and the 3-1 defeat to Kitara FC drew the final nail in Traguil's coffin.
The club also prematurely exited the CAF Confederation Cup in the second preliminary round at the hands of Libya's Abu Salim.