The top is getting hot

Vipers’ Dan Serunkuma vies for tha ball with BUL’s Farouk Banga. Photo by John Batanudde

What you need to know:

SOCCER. Early high-flyers Bul travel to St Mary’s Kitende for a first versus second battle against Vipers SC knowing they have a chance to open a five-point gap at the summit.

It is only three StarTimes Uganda Premier League (SUPL) matches today but the effect they could have on the table is quite significant.
Early high-flyers Bul travel to St Mary’s Kitende for a first versus second battle against Vipers SC knowing they have a chance to open a five-point gap at the summit.
Coach Edward Golola’s Vipers are also not lost on an opportunity to go top with victory over the impressive Peter Onen’s side.
At Luzira, KCCA, fresh from dispatching Onduparaka, will be desperate to storm the top five when they visit Maroons.
Further down south, Proline will - for once in recent memory - be looking to positive points since being docked six for not honouring their fixture against Villa. They play Kyetume at Namboole.
The first against second encounter in Kitende brings together two of the league’s deadliest strikers in Vipers Fahad Bayo and Bul’s Robert Mukongotya.
Bayo warmed up for this one with a goal as Uganda thrashed Burundi 3-0 to qualify for Chan 2020 6-0 on aggregate on Saturday.
He had scored a brace and assisted as Vipers dismissed Express 3-0 in their last league match to make it six goals in seven matches.
Mukongotya’s winner in Bul’s 2-1 victory over Tooro has him two goals behind Bayo, and today there will also be that mini fight as the two clubs battle for table leadership.
For Bul, who have won six of their eight matches, to stay top, a draw would just do fine.
But if they win on Vipers turf, which would be only their second time in six attempts, most will start taking their charge more seriously.
“Apart from Musa Esenu who is injured, the team is really in good shape,” said Bul coach Onen yesterday.
“”We are only waiting for kickoff time. Tomorrow’s (today) match could be a turning point.”
Cleverly for Vipers, they already take Bul as serious.
“We expect a very tough game,” said Vipers coach Golola, “Bul are in great shape, a good club with amazing players but we hope to win tomorrow. It’s going to be tough but we are ready.”
Vipers have almost always carried the day whenever these two meet, but the encounters have always been close.
Bul have won only once at Vipers in the last five visits, with the latter winning the rest. But all victories have been 1-0.
Overall, Vipers have won nine in 16, while Bul have claimed all points only on two occasions.
At Maroons Stadium in Luzira, hardly KCCA’s most favourite trip, Mike Mutebi’s men will hope to build onto their 4-0 victory over Onduparaka against the hosts.
Victory will see KCCA move three places up to fifth on 13 points while Maroons will go fourth with a win.

TODAY
Vipers SC v Bul, 4:00pm,
St Mary’s Stadium, 4:00pm,
Live on Sanyuka TV
Maroons vs KCCA, 4.30pm,
Maroons Ground, Luzira
Kyetume vs Proline, 4.30pm,
Mandela National Stadium, Namboole