Kirinya-Jinja SSS travel to the Mehta Stadium, Lugazi on Tuesday looking to boost their survival chances against a wounded URA side.
The School boys will be hoping Ibrahim Kirya’s men haven’t recovered from their Saturday painful defeat to Vipers when they set foot at Mehta.
Kirinya-Jinja SSS are one of the best sides at home having lost just once at their backyard, but have faced it rough on their travels with seven defeats coming on the road. They will be keen to write a different script on Tuesday, similar to the one they wrote against Sadolin Paints in February when they came out triumphant in form of a 2-0 win at Namboole – their only win away from home.
With three points up for grabs, the Jinja outfit will look to move a step closer to securing their Premier League survival. They come off an impressive victory over SC Villa and will be brimming with confidence when they set foot at Mehta.
Tuesday’s fixture brings good memories to the Kirinya-Jinja SSS faithful. The tax collectors provided opposition in the side’s first Uganda Premier League game, and it ended goalless at Bugembe Stadium.
The visitors will feel well rested after not being in action for 13 days, but will be without injured Franco Onene and George Ssenkaaba who got red carded against SC Villa. In his absence, Bashir Mutanda is likely to spearhead the Student’s attack.
On the hosts’ side, Kirya will expect a positive reaction from his side after their recent slump in form. A one-all draw with Express and weekend’s defeat to Vipers halted a winning streak of five games, and Kirya will hope his side returns to winning ways.
The 2006 champions have the added incentive of overcoming a Jinja side at home. The side has not beaten a Jinja outfit at Mehta this season, losing once while drawing twice.
URA are without goalkeeper Nafian Alionzi and strikers Bokota Labama Kamana and Emmanuel Ibe. Bokota is battling malaria while the Nigerian was given a leave to ‘sort out his personnel problems.’
Heading into the game, URA are fourth in the table standings with 41points, while Kirinya occupy the 12th position in the league with 27 points, just a point and two places off the drop.