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Vipers fired up, Kitara want revenge

Karim Watambala shields the ball. PHOTO/JOHN BATANUDDE 

What you need to know:

The six-time StarTimes Uganda Premier League winners  have amassed 20 points from nine matches and have reinvented Kitende into a dreaded no-go fortress. 
 

After exceeding expectations with a remarkable six-match unbeaten run and claiming the table summit, Vipers  auxiliary coach John 'Ayala' Luyinda has issued a bold warning to their opponents, Kitara. 

Ahead of Saturday's fierce clash at St. Mary’s Stadium-Kitende, Ayala has warned Kitara to brace themselves for a far more formidable and charged-up Vipers side that is ready to sting.

The six-time StarTimes Uganda Premier League winners  have amassed 20 points from nine matches and have reinvented Kitende into a dreaded no-go fortress. 

"We have been building partnerships in the first team since I came in, and the impressive run has come due to the quick telepathic chemistry amongst attackers Milton Karisa, Allan Okello, and Karim Watambala," Ayala revealed.

"Against Kitara, we hope the other attacking wing of Moses Waiswa and Yunus Sentamu will open up to make us fire on all cylinders. Kitara is not ready for this all-out offensive we have prepared," the soft-spoken tactician added

Vengeance 

Kitara, invading Kitende with a vengeance mission after a controversial 2-1 defeat in last December's poorly officiated encounter, comes into this clash buoyed by a morale-boosting 4-0 thrashing of UPDF. 

However, Ayala remains unfazed. Fresh off a commanding 2-0 victory over URA at Nakivubo, the Vipers boss dismissed any concerns, asserting that Wasswa Bbosa’s side still lacks the quality required to overcome his resurgent and well-oiled Venoms.

"We are going to ride on the momentum we have created to tame Kitara, even though their pivotal strikers Denis Omedi and Fred Amaku have returned to scoring form," Ayala stressed. 

He added; "I'm enjoying a selection dilemma at the moment since all players are back and training hard to take over from the current starters."

Wasswa Bbosa finds himself in a desperate bid to elevate Kitara from their precarious 14th position, with just seven points from nine matches.

The former Express, SC Villa, Gaddafi, Tooro United and Mbarara City tactician is expected to throw everything at the league leaders, relying on his gritty, counterattacking style to unsettle the Venoms. 

Bbosa will look to his attacking arsenal - featuring lethal forwards Denis Omedi, Fred Amaku, George Ssenkaaba, Jude Ssemugabi, and Living Kabon - to deliver a stunning upset at Kitende.

Early redemption

Meanwhile, Abdallah Mubiru's third-placed KCCA, sitting on 18 points, will be eager to bounce back from their first league loss of the season to Nec last week. 

They face a rejuvenated Lugazi side under the stewardship of Steven Bogere, with the slippery date set for today at the vibrant Najjembe Stadium in Mabira.

“We had a setback, and I can’t blame anyone for that. We tried to create chances but failed to finish and lost momentum in the final third. It was a bad day at the office,” Mubiru admitted.

“It is not the end of the league. We still have many games to play. The league is a marathon, and we will bounce back stronger," he pledged.

Against a determined Lugazi side occupying the 12th slot with 10 points, Mubiru faces a potential banana skin as he continues to refine his attacking line.

Lugazi, buoyed by a victory over Nec and a resilient barren draw against Vipers at Najjembe, will be eager to prove their mettle once more. 

Led by the energetic forward  Sam Ssemugugu, Lugazi will aim to breach a KCCA defense that has conceded only three goals this season, making for a compelling contest.

StarTimes Uganda Premier League

Saturday fixtures 

Lugazi vs. KCCA, 4pm

Vipers vs. Kitara, 7pm