Uganda Premier League (Match Day 13):
- Tuesday, 28th November 2017
- Onduparaka Vs UPDF
- Green Light Stadium, Arua (4:30 p.m)
Arua based Onduparaka plays host to the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) in Arua on Tuesday.
This is one of the 8 match day 13 games on the menu.
Onduparaka remains unbeaten at home in 20 matches since they were promoted over a year ago.
The Catarpillars boost of an intimidating fortress in Anyivu county, a ground that attracts mammoth gathering whose lively and passionate cheering has always inspired the players.
Against UPDF, Onduparaka comes to the match having struggled for form in the past 5 games where they scored twice.
A quick recap of the same fixture in Arua recounts tense moments of violence as the home side triumphed 2-1 on the day.
At one moment, some UPDF officials had to be restrained from firing to the crowd.
Charles Livingstone Mbabazi and Leo Adraa’s side will miss the services of three players – captain Rashid Toha, veteran Ceaser Samson Okhuti (with injuries) and midfielder Gadafi Wahabu who is in Kampala with the U-20 team that is starting official training for the COSAFA U-20 tournament in Zambia.
However, the rest of the crop that traveled to Masaka where they fell to a late George Senkaaba goal are available.
From the newly summoned Uganda Cranes goalkeeper Nicholas Ssebwato, Simba Sabir, Alfred Leku, Rashid Okocha, Gadaffi Wahabu, Viane Sekajjugo, Mahad Kakooza, hard tackler Ivan Mbowa, Aggrey Kirya, Karim Ndugwa to youngster Ezra Bidda, the Caterpillars have the fire power to make things happen.
If fielded, Kirya will be facing his former club that he once served with due passion and diligence for two seasons.
“We want to win against UPDF after we lost out to SC Villa in Masaka in our immediate last game away” Mbabazi told Kawowo Sports.
The footballing soldiers have struggled for form this year, winning only once in 12 games.
They thus languish bottom of the 16 team log with just 6 points fetched in 12 games.
UPDF has conceded the second highest number of goals (19) after Masavu.
They have however held the reigning league champions, Kampala Capital City Authority to a one all draw, a justification that they can pull off a shocking result on any day.
Led by former Uganda Cranes international Steven Bogere, UPDF boosts of players with excellent fighting character as the left footed gem Ezekiel Katende, Derrick ‘Rasta’ Walulya, Charles Ssemanda among others.
Onduparaka is currently 5th on the table standing with 19 points off 12 matches.
After match day 13, the league will take a two weeks break as the Uganda Cranes team heads to the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup championship in Kenya.
A host of local league clubs have players summoned to the team.
