Onduparaka out to cut KCCA lead

What you need to know:

  • Soccer. The league leaders come into the game high on confidence having won all eight games and 11 in total since relaying the artificial turf at their home ground in Lugogo.

KAMPALA.

Much has been said about the intimidating atmosphere at Onduparaka’s Betway Greenlight Stadium.

The Arua-based side boasts of an impressive unbeaten home record of five wins and as many draws that had catapulted them to third with 29 points on the Azam Uganda Premier League (AUPL) log before yesterday’s games.

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But as they take to the pitch against reigning champions KCCA at the Phillip Omondi Stadium in Lugogo this evening, they will be up against a team with an even better record. The league leaders (35 points) come into the game high on confidence having won all eight games and 11 in total since relaying the artificial turf at their home ground.

Reason for the impressive run has been the form of strikers Geoffrey Sserunkuma and Derrick Nsibambi who have scored 14 of the team’s 29 league goals after 16 games. “From the way we set up we always score goals,” insists coach Mike Mutebi before last week’s return leg against Angola’s Primeiro de Agosto in the Caf Champions League.

Confident coach
And having progressed following Sserunkuma’s away strike in a 2-1 loss, Mutebi will be confident of the striker adding to what is a joint league-high 10 goals and 14 in all competitions thus far.

At the other end, the game comes at a wrong time for Onduparaka whose captain Muhammad Shaban also on 10 goals, is ruled out for accumulated bookings.
Caesar Okhuti, scorer of the winning goal in Tuesday’s come from behind 2-1 Uganda Cup Round-of-32 win over Mbarara is also ineligible to play against his former side with his replacement likely to be Fahad Toko.

Suspended Shaban
Despite being on suspension, Shaban trusts his teammates to stun KCCA.
“The guys can do it,” said the lad who has netted three of Onduparaka’s five goals away from home. Toha and Anguzu scored away at Express and Sadolin respectively.
“Even if I am away, there are other options who can score.

“The way we won in Mbarara should motivate the guys,” he added. Dickens Okwi and Okhuti scored in Mbarara.

AZAM UGANDA PREMIER LEAGUE
TODAY’S FIXTURES
KCCA vs. Onduparaka
Phillip Omondi Stadium, Lugogo 4pm
JMC Hippos vs. Lweza
Kakindu Stadium, Jinja 4.30pm

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