Friday September 26, 2014
Bright Stars FC vs Soana FC
Phillip Omondi stadium, Lugogo @ 4.30pm
Fireworks is expected this Friday at the Phillip Omondi stadium when rivals Bright Stars and Soana FC clash in their second game of the 2014/15 Uganda Premier League (UPL) campaign.
The hosts come into the game high on confidence after holding five time champions URA FC to a 1-1 draw in their first game at Lugazi and coach Paul Kiwanuka says their aim is to build on that point.
“We had a good performance in the first game and we aim at building on that,” Kiwanuka told Kawowo Sports. “It’s a competitive league and collecting points earlier in the season will give us confidence. We target three points against Soana FC,” Kiwanuka added before stressing the importance of the game to both the fans and the players.
“Soana FC is always a different game for the fans and it creates much tension. We need to win it for them and with the preparation we’ve had, am confident of victory.”
The same sentiments were echoed by defender Akram Kakembo; scorer of the goal that earned the team promotion to premier league in 2013.
“We are fired up for the season and it doesn’t get any bigger than winning against our rivals,” Kakembo said.
Meanwhile, Richard Makumbi whose side narrowly lost 1-0 to SC Villa at Mityana in their opener says that their season starts against Bright Stars.
“SC Villa game is now past us,” Makumbi told Kawowo Sports. “Our season starts against Bright Stars and we are hopeful of three points,” he added.
Makumbi may recall 2006/07 top scorer to the starting X1 after the striker spent 90 minutes on the bench against SC Villa. However, it’s flying winger Dan Wagaluka that is expected to lift the side.
Mathias Kigonya turns guns against former employers
Kigonya had a good debut making save after save in the game against URA FC but now turns guns against former employers from where he was signed last season.
In his own words, Kigonya says he is under no pressure and hopes for a good show against a side he helped get promoted a season ago.
“It’s a game like any other. My target is a good performance to help my side win,” he said.
HEAD TO HEAD STATISTICS:
The two sides have met four times (Twice in Fufa Big League and Twice in Top Tier Division)
Each has lost once while two have been draws. However, Soana’s win came in the lower division when they beat Bright Stars 2-1 at Kawanda while Bright Stars came from a goal down to win by the same score line in the FSL at Nakivubo stadium last season.
The two draws have been barren.
KEY BATTLES:
Abubaker Tabula Vs Dan Wagaluka
A battle of two experienced players is expected to light up the already anticipated fixture. Tabula is a good game reader, energetic and a marauding left back with a deadly cross while Wagaluka has pace, a quick fit and can offer support defensively when called upon. It will be interesting to see the two former SC Villa players come face to face.
Bernard Muwanga Vs Rashid Kyambadde
If there is one asset the former Masaka LC striker Rashid Kyambadde posses in abundance, it’s heading the ball into the net. With constant supply from Wagaluka expected, Muwanga; a good game reader and astute both on ground and in the air, expect another interesting battle come match time.
Paul Kiwanuka Vs Richard Makumbi
Interestingly, both are currently pursuing a CAF C licence orgainsed by FUFA at Njeru technical centre. Kiwanuka is in his first season in the premier league while Makumbi is tried and tested though his honours have come most with helping team earn promotion.
Both are tactical chameleons whose main attribute is always organising a good midfield.
League position
Bright Stars FC – 10th
Soana FC – 14th