KCCA FC broke a long-standing jinx at Kyamate Grounds in Ntungamo by edging Kaaro Karungi 2-1 in a gripping Stanbic Uganda Cup quarterfinal tie on Saturday afternoon.
Despite a turbulent Uganda Premier League campaign, the Lugogo-based side showed resilience and hunger to become the first club to seal a spot in the semifinals of this year’s knockout tournament.
It was a return to a stadium steeped in controversy for KCCA fans—Kyamate Playground being the same venue where a chaotic 2015 Uganda Cup final against SC Villa was infamously abandoned due to questionable officiating. That match was eventually replayed at Namboole.
But this time, KCCA exorcised those ghosts.
Forward Derrick Nsibambi opened the scoring just before halftime, heading home a cross that took a deflection off Kaaro Karungi’s Norman Ndyamuhaki and left the goalkeeper stranded.
A torrential downpour during the break momentarily delayed the second half. When play resumed, the hosts roared back to life. Within three minutes, striker Clinton Kamugisha capitalized on a lapse in the KCCA backline to draw Kaaro Karungi level.
However, parity didn’t last long. In the 59th minute, young winger Usama Arafat Kizza latched onto a through ball and slotted in what proved to be the match-winner—sending KCCA into wild celebration and a step closer to potential silverware.
The Stanbic Uganda Cup action resumes Sunday as reigning champions Kitara FC host BUL FC in Hoima. Vipers SC face SC Villa on Monday at Kitende, while Tuesday will see Police FC welcome Kataka FC at Kavumba.
KCCA’s progression breathes new life into their season, offering a potential redemption path through the Cup—something the club’s faithful will be desperately hoping for.
