)
Vipers SC goalkeeper Alfred Macumu Mudekereza was the centre of scrutiny as his side suffered a 5-0 humbling to Raja Casablanca on their CAF Champions League debut last Friday.
The Congolese goal-minder was at fault for three of the five goals, but Uganda Cranes goalkeeping coach Fred Kajoba has refused to put the entire responsibility on him.
"It happens a lot among goalkeepers that you will lose a little bit of focus and form once they sense they have no serious competition," said Kajoba to Pulse Sports.
The custodian is deputized by Burundian Fabien Mutombora, who is also familiar with calamitous goalkeeping despite being decent between the post.
Mudekereza's Friday show was the opposite of his display during the preliminary rounds, as he was one of the pillars in eliminating Olympic Real de Bangui and TP Mazembe.
"He was so good during the qualifiers, but something must have changed since then. Unfortunately, these things happen to players after big performances," noted the former Vipers head coach.
"But you can not blame him alone when the defence was poor. Raja Casablanca's forwards always found easy access to the goalkeeper."
"There was not great communication between the defenders and the goalkeeper, they were almost always silent, and that is key."
It awaits to be seen if Mudekereza will be recalled to goal as the Venoms take on Guinea outfit Horoya FC on Saturday at St Mary's Stadium, Kitende.
"I still think he is a good goalkeeper, and he needs the support to sort this situation," Kajoba advised.
The Kitende side has a rich goalkeepers' department with Mutombora, Denis Kiggundu, and Jack Komakech on their books.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)