Anyone’s game but URA count on home support

Soccer. The goalless draw Revenue registered in Cameroon means the tax collectors must avoid a scoring stalemate today or beat Coton Sport to progress to the first round

The last time URA played a continental fixture at Namboole turned out rather disastrous, Mali’s Djoliba hitting them 2-0 last year.
At the time, they had a return leg to contend with in West Africa but insurgency there forced the taxmen to pull out.

Now they return to the same Namboole venue today, the venue they call home, hoping for fortunes to change when they entertain Cameroon’s Coton Sport, whom they drew with goalless in Garoua.

“It’s still an open tie which is far from done,” said Paul Nkata, the URA coach, ahead of his second club continental fixture as head, “But we are at home and now it’s in our hands. “We respect our opponents because they didn’t give us an easy game in Cameroon but now it’s our chance to knock them out.”

Nkata and his players know they must keep concentration throughout because should Coton score first, URA will have to win the game outright to progress to the first round. “Of course we are aware of the maths,” admitted veteran right back Simeon Masaba, who is likely to return after recovering from a shin injury that kept him out of the first leg.

“We must play a balanced game in all departments but we know playing at home will give us the edge.” Masaba’s return will come as encouraging news especially with Nkata already without left back Lawrence Ssegawa, who dislocated his jaw in a warm-up game on Wednesday.

Benson Ociti is expected to lead the line again with Yayo Lutimba and Saidi Kyeyune playing the able supporting cast role. Owen Kasule will shield the back four with Moses Ali Feni and Augustine Nsumba expected to marshal the middle of the park against what Feni called “strong” Coton Sport midfield.

Allan Owiny, man of the match in Garoua, will again be in goal with Masaba, Sam Mubiru and company expected to man defence.

For Coton Sport coach Sebastien Desabre, who praised Owiny’s heroics in Cameroon, the task is clear. “Qualification is the most important thing,” he said, “It won’t matter how. Even if it’s penalties, we are ready.”

The winner between Ivory Coast’s A.F.A.D and Diamond Star of Sierra Leone will host victors between URA Uganda and Coton Sport in the first round. The first round’s games are due March 15-17 with return legs on April 5-7.

editorial@ug.nationmedia.com