It is going be an action packed weekend as the Azam Uganda Premier League (AUPL) enters match day eight.
All teams are in action but Nakivubo and Green Light Stadiums will attract the biggest attention as top seeds KCCA, Vipers and SC Villa all battle for maximum points.
Friday, 30-09-2016
Vipers SC Vs KCCA FC (Live on Azam TV @ 4pm in Nakivubo Stadium)
It will be first against third at Nakivubo on Friday afternoon as Vipers host KCCA in one of two mathes lined up on the day.
The hosts lag behind by six points and are aware that anything short of maximum points will hand a big advantage to their rivals.
Both teams come into the game on the back of morale boosting wins. KCCA hammered rivals Express 3-1 while Vipers earned the bragging rights in the Entebbe derby with maximum points thanks to a 1-0 victory over Lweza.
KCCA, who last lost to the Kasasiro two years ago, will bank on the experience of former KCCA trio of Hassan Wasswa Mawanda, Tonny Odur and William Wadri, who had a decent game against Lweza on Tuesday.
But they are still missing the services of anchorman, Siraje Ssentamu who is a long term injury. For visitors, KCCA. only Lawrence Kasadha is sidelined.
Robert Ssentongo, Muzamiru Mutyaba and Geoffrey Sserunkuma will be key for Mike Mutebi’s side that face a technical bench of Abdallah Mubiru and George ‘Best’ Nsimbe, who won two titles with KCCA at Lugogo.
The last meeting between the two sides ended 1-0 in favour of the Yellow Boys in the FUFA Super Cup but Vipers have fond memories of the last meeting at Nakivubo.
They ran out 2-0 winners in the semi-finals of the Uganda Cup.
Sadolin Paints FC Vs JMC Hippos FC – Bugembe Stadium, Jinja (4:30pm)
In Jinja, Sadolin Paints take on JMC Hippos in one of the highly anticipated Jinja derbies this campaign.
The Painters come into the game with great motivation after beating giants URA to earn their first maximum points of the campaign.
Nasser Muzamiru and Norman Ojik will try to continue their scoring form against a side that lost 2-1 to Proline in midweek.
Musa Walangalira and his defence must be on alert to avoid losing not only bragging rights in the East but also another game on the pin.
Saturday, 01-10-2016 (4:00pm)
Onduparaka FC Vs SC Villa – Green Light Stadium, Arua
At the Betway Green Light stadium, record league champions SC Villa will dare to end the home side’s fantastic home form.
The Caterpillars are unbeaten in over three seasons at the intimidating pitch and are buoyed by a big fan base in the area.
But the Jogoos who have Onduparaka old boy, Vitalis Tabu in their ranks will fancy their chances against a side coached by the experienced Leo Adraa as well as Charles Livingstone Mbabazi.
Muhammad Shaban will look to add to his 3-goal tally this season (all his goals have come at home) but the side is still minus Ceaser Okhuti who is yet to get licensed by the FA for unknown reasons.
Deo Sserwadda’s men conceded their first goal of the season against Soana in midweek and will be desperate to keep a clean sheet.
Soana FC Vs URA FC – Kavumba R. Grounds
This maybe Kefa Kisala’s last chance at URA if his men fail to beat Sam Ssimbwa’s Soana who they visit in Kavumba.
The Tax men against all odds lost 1-2 at home to Sadolin and a repeat of a similar result will leave Kisala’s job hanging by the thread.
It will be a tough ask against a side low on confidence to overcome Soana who held SC Villa in their previous game and sit among the top four on the log.
Frank Kalanda, scorer of three goals so far comes up against a side that let him go in the window and will be desperate to the put ball behind the goalkeeper’s back.
Shafik Kagimu has been in scintillating form for the Lugazi side and they will hope he replicates in Kavumba
Express FC Vs Kirinya Jinja SSS FC
Newly promoted Kirinya Jinja SS take the hunt for their maiden maximum season points to Mutesa II stadium, Wankulukuku where they take on a wounded Express.
The students come into the game on the back of a barren stalemate with Bul in the Jinja derby but must be wary of a side that lost to rivals KCCA 3-1 in the week as well.
Ibrahim Saddam Juma, Herman Wasswa and Noah Ssemakula will be desperate to return the Red Eagles to winning ways after stuttering against KCCA, a couple of days after they had beaten giants Vipers.
Derrick Tekkwo returns to the side after serving one match ban for accumulation of three yellow cards.
Proline FC Vs Lweza FC – P. Omondi Stadium, Lugogo
Another promising fixture will be at Lugogo where Proline play hosts to Lweza. Mujib Kasule’s charges were boosted by their first win of the season in midweek when they beat JMC Hippos away and will fancy their chances against the Oranje.
Edirisa Lubega got the monkey off his back with a winner in Kakindu and that will drive him to look for more at home.
For the Oranje, Paddy Muhumuza and Asuman Alishe who had good game against Vipers will be tasked with stopping the creative Gift Ali and Said Kyeyune from connecting Lubega and company upfront.
The Saints FC Vs Bright Stars FC – Bombo Barracks Grounds
Fred Kajoba will be the centre of attraction as he takes his Bright Stars side to face former paymasters, The Saints.
But Kajoba left the side as Simba but inside, he knows there will be no warm reception against Moses Basena coached army men.
Seif Batte, Baker Lukooya and Joshua Kawadwa will be tasked with unlocking the decently organised hosts backline.
BUL FC Vs Police FC – Kakindu Stadium, Jinja
In the other game on Saturday, Bul will be targeting their second maximum points with a home tie against struggling Police at Kakindu.
Both sides have won just once in the campaign but the Cops have lost three successive games including 3-0 to Soana.
They will however draw inspiration from the fact that their only win came in Jinja; 1-0 versus Sadolin Paints.
The fixture also pits two experienced coaches in Sam Timbe (police) and Frank ‘Video’ Anyau (Bul).