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Players of immense quality and talent have looked off-colour at Lugogo the last few seasons, promising much but delivering little, if anything.
Newly appointed KCCA FC interim coach Jackson Mayanja has revealed that he is only in Lugogo to help the club win the Startime Uganda Premier League this season.
Confirmed as the man to replace Morley Byekwaso until the end of the season, Mayanja, a legend of the club, is returning for his second stint as a coach, having managed the team in 2005.
And in his first interview with the club media, Mia Mia, as he is fondly referred to in football circles, highlighted the importance of getting the players to understand the task at hand.
"When a team loses a coach, when the manager goes away, many things run into the players' minds," Mayanja said Friday morning.
"I think KCCA has not yet had a poor run, although it is five games without a win," he added.
"The mindset of the players is very important. The psychological part of the players is very important.
Since returning from the international break, KCCA have drawn three, lost one in the league, and exited the Stanbic Uganda Cup following a 1-0 loss to Soltilo Bright Stars, which turned out to be Byekwaso's last game at the club.
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22:31 - 19.04.2023
FOOTBALL Mia Mia back at Lugogo to steady the ship
Mayanja replaces former teammate Morley Byekwaso who resigned from his position on Sunday after KCCA FC were eliminated from the Stanbic Uganda Cup following a 1-0 loss to Soltilo Bright Stars in the quarter-finals at the Kavumba Recreation grounds.
Five points off the pace in the title race, the Kasasiro Boys will have to be near-perfect in the remaining eight games to think about landing a 14th league title.
"There are only two things we need to work on, the psychological and then the fitness. That's what I saw yesterday.
"I'm only here to see that we win the trophy. That is all. There is nothing much.
"Mindset, every player must know. It is the trophy."
Restoring confidence amongst some of the team's stars will be Mayanja's first task.
Players of immense quality and talent have looked off-colour at Lugogo the last few seasons, promising much but delivering little, if anything.
Mayanja's personality is the first tool. Considered one of the greatest players to have kicked a ball in Uganda and undoubtedly a club legend at Lugogo, the tactician will hope to inspire the dressing room into a good run of form as the season enters its final bend.
A clash with table leaders SC Villa on Sunday is one Mayanja hopes brings the best out of his players.
"It's a big game, big day for the fans, big day for the players, for the technical staff and even the media.
"It is a do-or-die."
Villa are on 43 points, five ahead of KCCA, but the record champions have played two games more.
Anything short of victory will leave KCCA in a tight corner, with defending champions Vipers now making ground, only three points behind Mayanja's charges and with two games in hand.
Mayanja's love for the only Ugandan club he played for is the only reason he accepted to take charge on an interim basis.
Whether he will be staying at the end of the season or not is a matter he did not fancy discussing.
"Working as an interim coach in club football wasn't in my mind.
"For club level here in Uganda, I cannot work as an interim coach because I know what it means.
"I only accepted the interim job because KCCA is my club, and it made me who I am today."
Since leaving his role as KCCA coach, Mayanja has managed teams like URA FC, Bunamwaya SC, Kagera FC, Simba SC, Kyetume FC, AS Kigali (Assistant Coach), Uganda Cranes (Assistant Coach) and most recently, Uganda Hippos (U20).
His arrival in Lugogo is a quick fix as the club explores its options going into next season.
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