Hosts aim to keep their chances of a double alive.
Sparks of fire are expected tomorrow at Lugazi Municipal Stadium when league Champions URA FC host 2009 Uganda Cup winners SC.Villa in the third of the Bell Uganda Cup quarter finals.
URA FC dumped SC.Villa out of the competition last season at the round of 32 after a 3-1 win at the same stadium. However, the Jogoos will draw inspiration from their 2-1 over the tax collectors in the finals of 2009 to lift their last silver ware.
Lugazi has been a fortress for URA FC and have not lost a game at the stadium. Their would be loss however was suffered at the hands of Mike Mutebi’s side courtesy of a Herman Wasswa late goal in a league match that was later nullified as part of the agreement reached between FUFA and USL to replay all games officiated by non FUFA sanctioned referees.
URA FC dumped out Luwero FC 6-2 to reach this stage while Villa eliminated big league side Mbarara Old Timers 5-1. The winner of the tie meets Kisala’s Masaka LC in the semifinals.
URA FC TEAM NEWS: Coach Alex Isabirye may still be without Captain Manko Kaweesa who missed the 2-2 draw in the league last week. Besides, former Villa players Allan Owiny, Masaba Simon, Agaba Oscar, Augustine Nsumba, Feni Moses Ali, Osama Farouk and Robert Ssentongo are all fit to play against their former employers. Kayizzi Vicent may be given a starting berth on the right flank having started on the bench in the game against Express FC.
PROBABLE LINE UP: Owiny, Masaba, Ssenkomi, Mubiru, Ssegawa, Agaba, Feni, Kayizzi, Nsumba, Ssentongo and Bagala.
MAN TO WATCH: AUGUSTINE NSUMBA spares his best whenever he faces SC Villa and is expected to be the man tasked with the job of splitting the Villa rear guard.
SC.VILLA TEAM NEWS: Coach Mike Mutebi may be with out influential skipper and former URA FC star Steven Bengo who has not trained the whole of last week due to typhoid. However, good news is the return of play maker Noah Ssemakula from injury. Mulindwa Muwonge (also former URA FC) may continue in goal as first choice Benjamin Ochan is doubtful. Long term absentees Apollo Kakaire, Ssenfuka Patrick (knee) and Eurukana Nkugwa (awol) are automatically out. Doubtful – Bengo Steven (typhoid), Hamis Katende (knee), Ssekiziyivu Steven (groin).
PROBABLE LINE UP: Mulindwa, Okoth, Kisaliita, Kasadha, Muleme, Kirabira, Ssembatya, Ndaula, Muwadda, Ssemakula, and Muganga.
MAN TO WATCH: MUGANGA RONALD has scored three goals in two games in this competition and if Bengo fails to recover in time for the tie, he is the man to look out for. On his best day, he is un playable.
PREDICTIONS: Cup games are difficult to predict but URA FC come into the the as favorites. However, they have struggled in the last few games winning just once in their last four games while Villa have won their last four. I go for a draw in the 90 minutes and penalty shoot out can go either way. what is your prediction?
