Uganda Premier League: Tuesday, 11th April 2017
- JMC Hippos Vs BUL – Kakindu Stadium, Jinja (4:00 p.m)
When JMC Hippos take on BUL in the famous Kakindu affair on Tuesday in the Uganda Premier League, it will be purely be a battle of survival for the fittest.
Both clubs are lingering in the murky relegation waters with JMC Hippos stagnated rock bottom on 10 points, all earned from draws having failed to pick single victory this term.
BUL, 3-1 winners of the first leg played in December 2016 are third from bottom with 23 points from 24 games played.
In the first leg, Yunus Sibira, Blaize Nkolo and Shaka Ssozi were all on target for BUL during the rain hit fixture before gangly forward Ajab Abdulrahman pulled a goal back for JMC.
Between the first round encounter and now, a lot of water has gone down the drain.
Fast forward, there was an eminent wave of change at the respective technical departments.
Frank ‘Video’ Anyau then at BUL as head coach and his counterpart George Lutalo Bbosa who handled the sides at the time are now more.
Peter Onen who was Anyau’s number two at BUL is now the boss at BUL after a fan’s revolution forced him out.
Lutalo, on the other hand, voluntarily laid down the tools of work seeking greener pastures at Soana where he has since been replaced by Alex Isabirye.
At the moment, JMC Hippos is under the hands of coach Lt. Colonel Vincent Lukyamuzi Lujjah.
Come to the playing staff and systems, both sides have made remarkable amendments.
BUL ushered in fresh blood during the January transfer window with goalie Eric Dhaira returning from Iceland, Brian ‘Ziggi’ Bwete coming from Lweza, Patrick Sembuya (Vipers on loan), David Bagoole (Sofapaka), Robert Achema (returned from Sadolin Paints) and left back Yesseri Waibi (SC Villa).
They lost Julius Malingumu (The Saints) and Milton Karisa to Vipers, a gap that has been ably filled by the hard working Bagoole, baptized Ngolo Kante by the passionate Jinja footballer supporters.
Clash of egos:
Former BUL players as the Herbert duo of Kakande and Odipio will surely for a reason or two be the center of attraction.
Every time, these two players have faced their former side, it has not been a bed of roses.
There is something precious to play for in the match – three points and this will make this game more enticing and a joy to follow.
Walter Lubangkene will miss the game for JMC through suspension as Kakande returns to the having served his red card ban.
JMC requires maximum points from all their remaining six games as they still habour some mathematical chances of surviving the axe.
In the same boat, BUL desires for nothing but maximum points if the struggle to fight relegation is anything to go by.
Probable Team Line ups:
BUL XI: Paul Mujampwani (G.K), Umar Mukobe, Hakim Magombe, Junior Mukisa, Derrick Walulya, Patrick Sembuya, Yunus Sibira, Blaize Nkolo, David Bagoole, Robert Achema, Yudah Mugalu
Subs: Eric Dhaira (G.K), Richard Ariu, Hamis Tibita, Shaka Ssozi, Fahad Bardine, Edgar Luzige, Godfrey Buni, Titus Lubega, Yesseri Waibi
JMC Hippos XI: Michael Nantamu (G.K), Wily Makuro, Jimmy Jalendo, Musa Walangira, Constantine Nalumoso, Herbert Kakande, Ibrahim Massa, Daniel Shabena, Mustapha Mugoya, Moses Batali, Ajab Abdulrahman
Subs: Tadeo Muwase (G.K), Asuman Bajampola, Herbert Odipio, Patrick Onyango, Viane Ssekajugo, Kelvin Kato, Edwin Bageya