2014/15 UGANDA PREMIER LEAGUE: Second Round League Kick off (Match Day 16):
Tues, 17th February 2015 – (4:00 pm Kick off for all Games)
Entebbe F.C Vs KCC – Bugonga Stadium
SC Villa Vs Sadolin Paints F.C – Nakivubo Stadium
Simba S.C Vs Rwenshama F.C – Bombo Military Barracks Stadium
Uganda Revenue Authority Vs BUL F.C – Mehta Stadium, Lugazi
Four Games are set to kick off the second round of the 2014/15 Uganda Premier League at the different venues across the country.
www.fufa.co.ug to brings you the nitty gritty of the teams’ preparations, team news and the January buys prior to the much anticipated second round kick off.
Entebbe F.C Vs KCC F.C – Bugonga Stadium
Champions Kampala City Council (KCC) travel to Entebbe’s new home in the lake side Bugonga village to face tricky opposition, Entebbe F.C.
After a disappointing first round, that not only witnessed Entebbe F.C fetch just 9 points, their former Head coach, Matia Lule also resigned.
KCC themselves let their former head tactician, George ‘Best’ Nsiimbe depart for greener pastures.
Matia Lule and George Nsiimbe have since settled in the Tanzanian league with Premier sides Stand F.C and Azam F.C respectively.
Former Assistant coach to Nsiimbe, Abduallah Mubiru has since taken over the reins at KCC while Entebbe is now coached by former Express F.C goal keeper Abu Kigenyi.
The reigning champions will never remain happy for having finished below the current leaders, Vipers and arch rivals, SC Villa.
Therefore, the fixture at Bugonga on Tuesday presents the best expression of the desire to win for the two sides.
KCC are fresh from overcoming Cameroonian champions, Cosmos De Bafia in the CAF Champions league preliminary first round tie (opening leg) and will look to replicate the first round damage to Entebbe (3-0 at Lugogo back then).
The champions have also signed several players in the ranks of goal keeper, Benjamin Ochan (from SCVU), Timothy Awani (Kibuli S.S), Joseph Ochaya (Ghana’s Asante Kotoko) and Francis Olaki (From Albanian FC Tirana).
Simon Namwanja (left) playing for KCC against Cosmos De Bafia. He returns to the Bugonga ground, where he has played since childhood
KCC F.C left back Simon Namwanja returns to a ground onto which he has been playing since childhood.
The beauty of this fixture is one; KCC is plotting a victory to play catch up with the leaders and retain the title as Entebbe F.C is fighting relegation against all odds.
SC Villa Vs Sadolin Paints F.C – Nakivubo Stadium
In the City center, Kampala (at Nakivubo Stadium), 16 time record champions, Sports Club Villa hosts Jinja Bugembe based side, Sadolin Paints F.C.
Sadolin Paints F.C is out to avenge the first round board room loss to SC Villa , after the Bugembe fans caused the abandonment of the game with SC Villa leading 2-1 (less than 10 minutes were remaining).
SC Villa will miss their new recruit, Abdul Karim Kasule (signed from Big league side, Katale) as he is one of the 25 players currently at the FUFA Njeru Technical center with the U-23 (Kobs)team.
In Kasule’s absence, there are quite a number of other players who will fill in the void.
SC Villa’s former midfielder, David Bagoole (left) in action against Sadolin Paints at Bugembe Stadium during the tie that was abandoned by violent fans. Bagoole has since departed for Sofapaka F.C in the Kenyan Premier League.
New Signings, Modest Aloro (right back), Augustine Nsumba, Jimmy Mukumbya are some of the SC Villa players expected to play part.
Sadolin Paints’ most consistent player in the first round, Andrew Basooma, team captain, Allan Oreyk, midfield dynamo – Peter Katumba and goal keeper, Muhammed Didi will give SC Villa a torrid time.
Simba S.C Vs Rwenshama F.C – Bombo Military Barracks Stadium
Simba Sports Club won the first leg 1-3 away in Mityana where Rwenshama F.C was hosting their home games back then.
Rwenshama F.C has now moved to Lugogo Stadium, but the Tuesday game will be played at the ever intimidating Bombo Military stadium.
Rwenshama has hired a new coach, Charles Ayiekho, replacing Shafik Bisaso, who threw in the towel last November and signed Kenneth Tumusiime to replace striker, Julius Malingimu (now at Vipers Sports Club).
A win for the bottom placed Rwenshama will help the club kick start a relegation battle with star player being Jamada Katabi.
Simba, coached by Uganda Sanda Cranes head coach, Harunah Kebba will look to the magic of left back, Raymond Edema, whose solid defending and attacking exploits have lifted Simba S.C at all times.
Uganda Revenue Authority Vs BUL F.C – Mehta Stadium, Lugazi
Like KCC, Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) is another club fresh from continental duty.
URA F.C, coached by Alex Isabirye showed typical fighting spirit, coming from a goal down on two different occasions to defeat Madagascar club, ASSM Elegco Plus F.C.
Against BUL F.C, the script is expected to be totally different as both sides battle fiercely at every time of meeting.
The Kakindu based side sacked their head coach, Kefa Kisala (also Uganda Cranes Assistant coach) and his former assistant, Joseph Mutyaba is now head coach, assisted by former player, Hussein Kato and Bright Dhaira.
URA Starting XI against ASSM Elegco Plus F.C
URA signed former SCVU players, Yasser Mugerwa and Noah Semakula whilst Bul F.C only released veteran striker Yusuf Kinene and recommitted Robert Achema to another 2 year deal worth U.shs 10M.
Players to Watch:
Robert Sentongo, who scored a double over Elegeco Plus F.C last Friday at Nelson Mandela Stadium, Namboole remains the biggest threat in front of goal.
The safe gloves of goal keeper, Brian ‘Ziggi’ Bwete, Muhammed Feni Saidi Kyeyune and Patrick Ochan’s trickery in the middle of the pack, winger Elukana Nkugwa and Striker Frank Kalanda will be key for URA.
Bul F.C will miss Hashim Sempala and Robert Achema (with Kobs at Njeru) but equally have potential replacements in Asuman Bajampola, left back, Hakim Magombe and team skipper, Patrick ‘Crespo’ Asiku.
May the better teams carry the day.
MAIN PHOTO: KCC’s Habibu Kavuma (left) battles for possession with Rwenshama’s former right back, Modest Rogers Aloro during the first round played at Mityana. Kavuma returns to action with KCC at Entebbe while Aloro has since transferred to SC Villa and is expected to feature for the 16 record league champions against visiting Sadolin Paints at Nakivubo stadium.
PHOTO CREDITS: FUFA Communications Department
