Favourites get fair Cup draw

KAMPALA. A goal keeper, who was Uganda’s number one for 15 years of his career 17, was imprisoned at Luzira for conceding twice from 10-time winners Express. Today, he thinks what got him in prison is the best football competition. Paul Ssali, who was Uganda’s goal keeper at the 1978 Afcon finals said during yesterday’s draw of the Uganda Cup at Mengo, the knockout tournament is ‘anyone’s cup’. He knows because he won the cup four times with Simba and KCC.
Such is the magic of the competition that enters the second round with 16 games scheduled between January 11 and 17th.

Balanced draw
32 ties were pulled out of the glass case at Fufa House by Ssali and two-time winner Robert Aloro. Defending champions KCCA, who won an 8-2 goal fest against Amuka Bright Stars, have been rewarded with an all-premier league tie away to Tooro United. To celebrate the 45th Stanbic Uganda Cup, league champions Vipers meet Kansai Plascon, a team they ejected 1-0 at the same stage last season. The 2016 champions face a major hurdle as Plascon, who play in the Big League, are having a credible squad that can compete favourably.

Vipers progressed after their opponents, Rusekere Growers of Fort Portal was a no show at Kitende yet they have tended to wobble with the continental games in the picture. Yet if current form holds true, Kiboga, who play St Mary’s have a walk in the park. Bul will host Mbarara City in another all-premier league tie so is Kirinya-Jinja SS against Onduparaka.
There will be only one tie pitting Big League sides as Kireka host Wakiso Giants. SC Villa will play regional league side Nkambi Coffee of Masaka. Nkambi CEO, Muhammad Yiga, whose team is taking part in the Uganda Cup for the second time plots for a surprise. Last season, Proline ejected them at this stage.

Potential upsets
There are two potential banana skins as URA face a stubborn Synergy, who reached the semis last season. Synergy, one of the best passing sides will have Brian Ssenyondo put his wits against Sam Ssimbwa, who has the best defensive team of the Uganda Premier League. Nyamityobora, who are facing a players’ crisis will also welcome in-form Proline. Whether Proline want to keep chasing the cup or remain focused on earning promotion, remains the question. Proline beat Nyamityobora 1-0 in the pre-season Philip Omondi tournament in September.

Fufa gets tough
Up to eight teams got walkovers in the previous round. Fufa has pulled out the stick. Big League sides JMC Hippos and Kabale Sharp, have been deducted a point each and been fined Shs500,000 for failing to their games away to URA and Calvary, respectively. But Aisha Nalule, Fufa’s competitions director, warns of tougher sanctions that include even demotion.