KCCA desperate to arrest worrying run

What you need to know:

KCCA’s attack have netted only thrice in five games while Onduparaka, fueled by the verve of coach Livingstone Mbabazi, have won five of seven games, scoring nine against three.
In Tooro, both the hosts and Bul are carrying good memories of beating KCCA. Tooro’s last home match was a memorable 1-0 victory over KCCA while Bul are fresh from a 3-0 thrashing of the Ugandan champions

Fort Portal hosts yet another potentially enthralling encounter after Tooro United’s 1-0 victory over KCCA at St Paul’s Seminary Ground last week.

Tooro never lost a game while hosting their matches at Buhinga Stadium, which is currently under renovation, last season and will want to continue that at St Paul’s when they welcome red-hot Bul today.
However, in Bul they face a confident and dangerous team fresh from thrashing KCCA 3-0.

Both Tooro and Bul coaches Wasswa Bbosa and Peter Onen have been grinding results, but nothing has equalled their respective victories over KCCA.
Charles Musiige was Tooro’s hero against the champions while Bul’s Robert Mukongotya, Musa Esenu and Richard Wandyaka accounted for KCCA’s pain.

Bul’s impressive form, where they have won five of seven matches, has them as surprise StarTimes Uganda Premier League (SUPL) table leaders on 16 points.
However, Tooro’s has been a stop-start affair, and they lie ninth on 10 points.

Talking of KCCA, they have displayed the most unconvincing title defence form in the last few weeks, wheels derailing on the continent and domestically.
From relegation from the Caf Champions League to the Confederation Cup, to dropping eight points from a possible nine, Mike Mutebi’s men cannot digress further.
They need respite from defeats to Tooro United and Bul, and the late draw at Bright Stars.

Encouragingly for them, if past records at StarTimes Stadium are anything to go by, they welcome a team - Onduparaka - they have obligatorily beaten on the last two occasions.
Onduparaka lost to KCCA 7-0 in February 2017, Allan Okello capping it with a hattrick. They lost 1-0 at the same Lugogo venue last season.

Yet in Onduparaka, who sit third on the log with 15 points, eight ahead of KCCA in 13th, they face a team right in the mood. Mutebi knows it will not be easy.
“It is more challenging (to compete for the league title) and it is not going to be easy,” said coach Mutebi, adding, “But this is a marathon.
“We are still on a disappointing start but we cannot be sorry for ourselves because these are the same players we have been using.”

Actually, what should concern Mutebi more is his attack’s bluntness that includes Okello, Mike Mutyaba, and teenager Sadat Anaku, who is still looking for his first top-flight goal.
KCCA’s attack have netted only thrice in five games while Onduparaka, fueled by the verve of coach Livingstone Mbabazi, have won five of seven games, scoring nine against three.

However, it should be noted that one of those wins and three goals were awarded after Police did not turn up for Onduparaka’s opening match.

StarTimes UPL, Today

KCCA vs Onduparaka, 4pm,
StarTimes Stadium, Lugogo, Kampala
Tooro United vs Bul, 4.30pm,
St Paul’s Seminary, Fort Portal
KCCA vs Onduparaka head to head
Feb 5, 2019: KCCA 1-0 Onduparaka
Oct 19, 2018: Onduparaka 0-2 KCCA
Feb 27, 2017: KCCA 7-0 Onduparaka
Sept 9, 2016: Onduparaka 2-1 KCCA

Table standings

Club P W D L F A Pts
1. BUL FC 7 5 1 1 10 4 16
2. SC Villa 8 4 3 1 11 4 15
3. Onduparaka 7 5 0 2 9 3 15
4. Vipers SC 6 4 2 0 10 4 14
5. Maroons FC 7 4 0 3 8 9 12
6. Busoga Utd 8 3 1 4 10 8 10
7. Express FC 8 3 1 4 11 12 10
8. Wakiso Giants 8 3 1 4 7 8 10
9. Tooro United 8 3 1 4 5 8 10
10. URA FC 7 2 3 2 8 7 9
11. Mbarara City 8 2 2 4 12 13 8
12. Kyetume 6 2 1 3 3 3 7
13. KCCA FC 5 2 1 2 3 5 7
14. Bright Stars 8 0 5 3 7 12 5
15. Police FC 7 1 2 4 3 14 2
16. Proline FC 6 2 0 4 -3 9 0