Clubs rush for early grip

Masavu FC’s Abraham Ndugwa (right) dribbles past Proline’s Isaac Owor during a previous UPL encounter between the two sides. Both Masavu and Proline are in action today against Vipers and Soana respectively. PHOTO BY MICHAEL KAKUMIRIZI

KAMPALA- Only two teams could head into the international break top of the Azam Uganda Premier League (AUPL) table with victories today and tomorrow.
Yet, even the two are not guaranteed, because five teams in all are actually in with a mathematical chance of breaking off until October 10 with bragging rights.

Vipers, KCCA, Police, Kirinya-Jinja and Mbarara City are in action today and tomorrow hoping to take/maintain that early lead, with the first two looking over each other’s shoulders as the real contenders of the title.
Coach Miguel da Costa’s Vipers became the first contender to take a psychological swipe at another direct challenger; Tom Masiko’s lone strike ensuring a 1-0 victory over SC Villa on Saturday for the Venoms to join Police at the summit on seven points.

Vipers will move to 10 points if they pick their third win in four matches away to Masavu today at the Fisheries Training Institute, Entebbe. Da Costa knows how much of a boost getting into the break in the lead is but down played the prospect as that important. “Well,” he said, “At this time of the season, I wouldn’t dwell much on that. We have to agree with the way the games are scheduled.
“So we are going to stay working hard… So I wish the best to the national team and hope our boys can come back without injuries and we continue with the journey.”
League newcomers Masavu are 12th after only one win in three attempts in a 16-team competition.

Police are the only other side that could take into this short break joint top should they pick maximum points from Onduparara at Green Light, a stadium the West Nile outfit have not lost, tomorrow.
Champions KCCA did manage their first victory with a 4-1 thumping of Onduparaka last week but can only ascend to the summit if they win at URA tomorrow and Police, the early pace setters, and Vipers fail to pick maximum points in their respective encounters.
Mbarara City at home to SC Villa and are the other side and Kirinya away to Bright Stars are the only other sides that stand an outside chance of leading into the international break but, like KCCA, they will have to hope Police and Vipers falter.
At Lugogo today, bottom side Proline face Soana desperate to hit ground running after two defeats and a draw.

“We always start slow because there are so many things we try to do and we don’t hurry results,” said Proline coach Mujib Kasule.
“We shall continue to train and work on things that make us strong and we are sure it will come good.”

UGANDA PREMIER LEAGUE
PLAYING TODAY AT 4.00PM
Proline vs. Soana, live on Azam TV
Masavu vs. Vipers SC
Bright Stars vs. Kirinya Jinja SSS

Tomorrow, 4:30pm
URA vs. KCCA, live on Azam TV
Onduparaka vs. Police
SC Villa vs. Mbarara City
Bul vs. UPDF
Express vs. Maroons