Senyondo defends Alpha Ssali, calls winger key asset for KCCA FC

KCCA FC head coach Brian Senyondo has defended forward Alpha Thiery Ssali amid limited playing time at the Lugogo-based club, insisting the winger remains an integral part of his squad.

“Alpha is a player with huge potential and a fantastic attitude. His ability to play on both wings gives us great flexibility. We are confident he will be a key asset for us,” Senyondo said.

Ssali joined KCCA in September ahead of the 2025/26 season, signing a two-year contract that runs until 2027.

The pacey winger arrived from NEC FC, where he also struggled for regular minutes last season due to stiff competition under coach Hussein Mbalangu, particularly from Paul Mucureezi and James Jarieko.

Addressing concerns about squad rotation, Senyondo emphasized that competition is healthy within the team. “There is no player who wants to be on the bench. Every player wants to play. But when you look at this team, every player understands his role and why one starts and another begins from the bench. This shows we are one as a team, and it showed today,” he explained.

Before his stint at NEC, Ssali featured for Express FC, where he spent one and a half seasons after joining the Red Eagles from Proline FC in August 2023. He later moved to NEC in January 2025 on a two-year deal before completing his switch to KCCA.

Ssali also boasts a rich football heritage, being the grandson of Bidandi Ssali, who served as a coach and team manager in the late 1960s.

The Kasasiro Boys currently sit top of the Uganda Premier League table with 25 points, narrowly ahead of defending champions Vipers SC. They will look to extend their lead when they host Buhimba Saints on Wednesday, December 16, at the MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo.