Title climax: Party spoilers lurking in UPL title race

Old Jogoos? SC Villa’s Karim Abudallar (right) attempts to get past Vipers Siraj Sentamu in the first leg encounter. PHOTO/JOHN BATANUDDE

What you need to know:

  • Too tight. URA, Vipers and Express go into the league’s Matchday 24 separated by just two points with none playing a title rival in the remaining seven matches.
  • Vipers are breathing down the necks of URA with a point deficit and when the two title protagonists went head to head at St Mary’s Stadium Kitende this week, it was visible they shared a lot in common.

The thrilling StarTimes Uganda Premier League race is at its climax. Don’t blink. The remaining seven-game run promises to be the tightest in recent memory - having morphed and expanded from a two-horse race between leaders URA and Vipers to accommodate Express.

The ultimate battle for glory will surely go down the wire as the title favourites still have slippery hurdles to overcome.
Today sees Vipers, fresh from the 1-1 draw with URA on Wednesday take on SC Villa in Bombo while the tax collectors also host Abdallah Mubiru’s Police in Ndejje.

Vipers are breathing down the necks of URA with a point deficit and when the two title protagonists went head to head at St Mary’s Stadium Kitende this week, it was visible they shared a lot in common.

Fred Kajoba’s Venoms will be boasted by the earlier 3-0 dismantling of the Jogoos at Kitende and Villa’s recent struggles that sees they occupy the eighth slot.

But that doesn’t make the record league winners mere walkovers especially with the budding rivalry between the two clubs that also have a Uganda Cup quarterfinal date to grind.


After drawing KCCA at Lugogo, Mubiru will lead his Cops against URA with earger to avenge the 2-0 first round loss.
“We have been let down by injuries but now most of the players are are back.Expect a revitalised Police as we wind up the league,” Mubiru told SCORE.
Police are still fifth on the log tied on 38 points with fourth placed KCCA.

Express-ing title hunger
Two points off URA’s 51,  2012 league winners Express are still in with a shout of claiming the title though still third.
After beating Kyetume 3-2 on Wednesday, Red Eagles coach Wasswa Bbosa can afford to dream more so with lead striker Eric Kambale netting a hat trick that took his season tally to 11 goals.

“I’m grateful that I scored my first hattrick for the club.We shall build from that in our next game which is at home.
“We played as a unit and that is why we came from a goal down to winning 3-2,” Kambale, who has taken over the scoring burden at Express revealed ahead of the UPDF match at Wankulukuku today. 

UPDF have their own share of troubles with head coach Kefa Kisala reportedly suspended for horrible results after raising the team’s expectations with a rare table topping feat in the first round.

His auxiliary Saka Mpima is expected to stay in charge as he did in the 2-2 draw with relegation threatened Myda in the last game.

Today | Live on Sanyuka TV 4pm
Bul    vs.    Bright Stars
SC Villa    vs.*    Vipers
Wakiso Giants     vs.    Kitara
Express     vs.    UPDF
URA     vs.    Police
Mbarara City     vs.    Onduparaka
Sunday
KCCA     vs.*    Kyetume
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