It was a season of ups and downs for the Lugogo outfit. The side had the aborted game against Onduparaka replayed in Bombo and could only manage a draw from that.
Rogers Mato features prominently in KCCA FC head coach Morley Byekwaso’s plans.
He is one of the mainstays in the team and his performances have gone on to catch the watchful eye of Uganda Cranes tactician Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojević.
And after returning from the recently concluded Africa Nations Championship (CHAN), where the Cranes were bundled out at the group stage, the forward now has his full focus on helping KCCA win its first league title in five years.
The Kasasiro Boys are top of the log with 29 points after 14 games and will start the second round against Wakiso Giants at the Kabaka Kyabaggu stadium on Thursday.
“As a team we are well prepared for the second round,” Mato told Pulse Sports ahead of the league second stanza.
“Last season we had challenges, we were at the top then had some challenges and went down,” he added.
KCCA started last season well and were top of the table for majority of the first round but ended the season second, a whooping 18 points behind winners Vipers.
It was a season of ups and downs for the Lugogo outfit. The side had the aborted game against Onduparaka replayed in Bombo and could only manage a draw from that.
They also fell to Vipers at home and saw the title slip through their hands.
“This season I guarantee you that we are physically and mentally prepared for the trophy,” the Cranes forward said, assuredly.
More experience
Suddenly, Mato is one of the most reliable players for Byekwaso and Micho. His exploits with the national side can only add to his experience and the former Proline player hopes to have his teammates feed off that.
“I won’t say that I'm at the top level yet,” Mato told this reporter before adding.
The little experience I got from that tournament, I’m trying to share with my team and we are probably going to show it on the pitch every game we play. Every game we going to play is a final.”
Against KJT in the Uganda Cup on Monday, Mato scored the opener in the first half and set up Charles Lwanga’s goal in the second.
He was a handful to the defenders and will look to carry that kind of performance into the second round of the season.
Name: Rogers Mato Kassim
DOB: October 10th 2003 (Age 19)
Position: Forward
Club: KCCA
Shirt number: 22
Uganda Cranes debut: 2021