Uganda's KCCA FC keeper Lukwago suspended for Champions League tie

KAMPALA, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Uganda's Premier League champions KCCA FC have been dealt a big blow with the suspension of their first choice goalkeeper Charles Lukwago for the first game of the 2018 CAF Total Champions League tie.

"Yes we are aware Lukwago will miss the game away to Botswana's Township Rollers between May 4 and 6 because he has accumulated two yellow cards. It is a big blow, but we shall work with the other two goalkeepers available," assistant coach Morley Byekwaso told Xinhua on Friday.

According to the CAF Total Champions league rules, a player who accumulated two yellow cards in different matches is suspended for the third game.

KCCA FC became the first Ugandan team to qualify for the group stage of the lucrative competition last weekend when they defeated Ethiopia's St. George 1-0 to qualify on a 1-0 goal aggregate.

On Wednesday the Confederation of African Football (CAF) drew KCCA FC in Group A alongside Africa's record eight time champions Al Ahly (Egypt), Esperance (Tunisia) and Botswana champions Township Rollers FC.

Although KCCA FC has been placed in a tough group, their captain Timothy Awany thinks they can cause some upsets and make it to the quarter finals. "This is a tough draw, but if we plan well we can make it to the quarter finals. Last year we managed to beat a teams from Egypt and Morocco in the Confederation Cup, so we can also do it," added Awany.

The defending champions Wydad Casablanca are placed alongside 2016 Champions Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Horoya (Guinea) and AS Togo (Togo) in Group C. Group B has Diffa El Jadidi (Morocco), MC Alger (Algeria), ES Setif (Algeria) and former champions TP Mazembe of DR Congo.

Tunisian giants Etoile du Sahel are in Group D alongside Mbabane Swallows (Swaziland), Zesco United (Zambia) and Angola's Premero de Agosto. Enditem