Big guns look for early spring in revamped UPL

KAMPALA- After two years of nude skirmishes between Fufa and Uganda Super League (UPL), many a football fan will be delighted to watch a league that, barring an unwelcome wonder, should kick off as Uganda Premier League (UPL) today.

The warring factions have finally allowed sense that so much eluded them over years to prevail, and are following through an MoU reached in March.

That agreement that sees the USL control the commercialisation of the UPL and Fufa retaining authority on all things football including assigning match officials, implementing rules and ensuring clubs honour contractual obligations among others gets in effect today.

Five games of the 2014/15 UPL season are lined up across the central and eastern regions of the country, with two more due tomorrow.

With defending champions KCC not in action until Tuesday when coach George Nsimbe’s side host Police at Lugogo, traditional giants SC Villa and Express – never mind their recent convoluted self -, and URA have a chance to make early strides.

Coach Steven Bogere’s Villa host Soana at their new home in Mityana. “It’s our opening game in front of our home fans,” said Bogere of the 16-time league winners, “(And) it’s a new team that we have assembled. I am looking forward to seeing how they gel in our first match.

“We know it’s going to be a tough game because our opponents will also want to hurt us, but we are ready for every challenge.”

Ending last season in 10th, seven-time champions Express - under the stewardship of Wasswa Bbosa - host Kira Young, who have a new coach in ex-Villa star Paul at Wankulukuku while URA – the four-time winners - entertain Bright Stars in Lugazi.

At Kakindu in Jinja, Cranes assistant coach Kefa Kisala is getting his and Bul’s season underway with an open mind. They host newcomers Sadolin.

“In my coaching tactics I like emphasizing capacity building, team work and team mental strength before I think of hunting for any trophy and I feel I have done that in the past two years,” said Kisala, the former Express star.
“Yes we’re ready to compete at both fronts (League and Cup) with this squad.”

Today’s UPL fixtures, 4.30pm
BUL vs Sadolin Paints, Kakindu – Jinja
Express vs Kira Young, Wankulukuku
URA vs Bright Stars, Lugazi
Police vs Rwenshama, Kavumba RC
SC Villa vs Soana, Mityana
Tomorrow, 3pm
Entebbe vs Simba, Nakivubo
Lweza vs SCVU, Wankulukuku

SUPERSSPORT MONEY
USL have received $520,000 (Shs1.3bn) for the 2014/15 season from which all the above cuts in percentages will be made.
Money from SuperSport and Bell before anarchy
2011/12 season: $400,000 (Shs1bn)
2012/13 season: $650,000 – (Shs1.6bn)

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