Villa, Maroons among winners as KCCA, URA look to join Cup party

Two Of A Kind. Villa strikers Bashir Mutanda (L) and Ambrose Kirya celebrate a goal in a recent match. PHOTO BY EDDIE CHICCO

All three topflight league clubs that were in action during the Stanbic Uganda Cup round-of-64 stage yesterday avoided shocks that dominated the previous day to storm the next round.
SC Villa who are one title short of KCCA and Express’s record haul of 10 were the biggest winners, running out 4-1 winners over Northern region side Supers Eagles 4-1 at the Pece Stadium in Gulu.
David Owori, Bashir Mutanda, Ronald Magwali and youngster Abdallah Salim were all on target for the Edward Kaziba and Ibrahim Kirya coached side who last won the title in 2015.
In Koboko, a James Angu strike proved to be the difference as Bright Stars edged Koboko Rising Stars at Nyarilo ground while Maroons required a penalty shootout to eject Young Elephants in Nwoya district.
The round-of 64 action continues today with KCCA playing Kampala Region third-tier side Katda at Lugogo.
KCCA manager Mike Mutebi insists they respect their opponents but have not had any sleepless nights worrying about an upset.
“It’s going to be a tricky one but I believe we have enough in our armoury to negotiate and go through.
“We are taking this match very seriously.
“We don’t expect a shock so we have to work hard to see that we go through. What we have to do is to look at how they play. It is the other clubs to worry about us.
“We have set the agenda about playing good football.
“But that does not mean we do not respect our opponents,” he said in a pre-match interview.
URA, the team that defeated them to win the 2014 Cup meanwhile return to their former home ground at the Mehta Stadium in Lugazi to play a tricky game against Lugazi Municipal.