Prime
Mandela wants quick reaction
Early Days. URA’s Mandela (L) tries to dribble his way past Wakiso Giants’ Viane Ssekajugo in a recent fixture. PHOTO BY JOHN BATANUDDE
What you need to know:
- Soccer. URA’s tormentors from the previous game, Wakiso Giants, will on the other hand be looking to build on when they host Tooro United, who themselves will want to bounce from their defeat to Vipers.
URA can use the quiet provided by Vipers and KCCA inactivity this weekend to steal themselves back amongst the leaders.
Coach Sam Ssimbwa’s men are desperate to get back their opening day groove when they welcome Kyetume at Namboole this afternoon.
The taxmen kicked off their 2019/20 StarTimes Uganda Premier League (SUPL) season with a 3-0 thrashing of Maroons, after which Ssimbwa warned other teams “to expect the same.”
Wakiso Giants took the advice to the letter, preparing their best to thrash URA 3-1 on match day two.
“(Sometimes) You have no choices about how you lose, but you do have a choice about how you come back and prepare to win again,” said URA new man Ashraf Mandela.
His teammate Joachim Ojera says they “have to be together, with the same spirit we’ve always had,” in order to get back firing. URA could also unleash their latest signing, Michael Birungi from Express, who has penned a two-year deal.
In Kyetume they meet a fairly decent side with experienced players like skipper Vincent Kayizzi, midfielder Patrick Ochan and striker Robert Ssentongo. Add an experienced coach in George Nsimbe and you have a team decent enough to not only frustrate you, but beat you as well. Kyetume opened with a 1-0 victory over SC Villa but lost by the same scoreline to Maroons in their second match.
At Wakissha Stadium, Wakiso Giants coach Kefa Kisala will want to make it two successive wins after dispatching the fancied URA. But they welcome a Tooro side that are also one win in two matches and want to quickly bounce back from defeat to Vipers.
“We played Tooro in the Super 8 and it was a very challenging physical game and we expect the same but we are up to the challenge,” said Kisala.
“Playing at home gives us belief and confidence and we want to make here (Wakissha) a fortress.” Tom Masiko and Viane Sekajugo form some of the armory at Kisala’s disposal.
Elsewhere, Maroons versus KCCA, which was due today, and Vipers versus Bul, earlier scheduled for tomorrow, have been postponed to a later date.
This is to allow players from these clubs join Uganda Cranes team to face Kenya in a friendly on Sunday. KCCA and Vipers have more than three players each in the squad.
STARTIMES UGANDA PREMIER LEAGUE
TODAY’S FIXTURES
Wakiso Giants vs. Tooro United, Kabaka
Kyabaggu Stadium - Wakiso, 4pm
Live on Sanyuka TV
URA vs. Kyetume, Mandela
National Stadium - Namboole, 4:30pm
Maroons vs. KCCA, Postponed
