Uganda Premier League (Match Day 14):
Tuesday, 19th December 2017
- Masavu Vs Onduparaka
- At Fisheries Training Institute Play Ground, Bugonga – Entebbe (4:30 p.m)
Onduparaka Football Club returns to the Entebbe based Lake side Fisheries Training Institute play ground for only the second time in a space of 18 months.
The last time that the Arua based club, they locked horns with Entebbe Football Club (now in the 3rd division league of Buganda Region) in a semi final clash during the FUFA Uganda Cup.
On the day, Onduparaka smiled to a 1-0 victory against Entebbe (lone goal scored by Muhammed Shaban) before registering the biggest score at home against Entebbe, winning 4-0 in the return leg at the Green Light stadium in Arua.
Onduparaka returns to the same fortress to face Masavu, but this time in the top flight division.
At present situation, either sides are in contrasting form as a distant 11 points separate the two sides after 13 games.
The Arua club sits 4th on the 16 team log with 22 points as Masavu is second from bottom with a parity 11 points.
Current form aside, the game on Tuesday is expected to be well contested given the various factors at play.
First things first, the league returns after a two week’s break (for COSAFA U-20 and CECAFA tournaments where Uganda took part) and you expect a new mentality among the respective teams and players alike.
Masavu for starters, has of late settled in well at their dusty Bugonga surfaced ground, which has at most times given visiting teams a headache especially in the opening stages of the game.
Key players and expected battles:
A mammoth crowd is expected at Bugonga on Tuesday, just like it was 19 months ago when Onduparaka visited Entebbe F.C.
The battle off the field of play is a ‘sure win’ for the visitors. Now, enter the actual field of play.
Midfielder Gaddafi Gadihno who has just renewed his employment contract at the Arua club is expected to lead the battle in the middle of the pack.
Joined by former Lweza play maker Rajab Kakooza and the robust Ivan Mbowa, Gadihno will fight for possession against Veron Ddamba, Fred Umony and Sadala Ddumba in a compacted and highly competitive anticipated midfield.
The visitors’ captain Rashid Toha started training a few weeks ago and could pass the late fitness test to join Rashid Muhammed in central defence as they try to stop Charles Odeke and captain Abraham Ndugwa’s raids to the goal.
The Masavu backline of Sulaiman Ochero, Ibrahim Pengere, Brian Nsubuga as well as the tried and tested left back Sande Mukiibi will come under close scrutiny against left footer Viani Ssekajugo, Alfred Leku, Samson Ceaser Okhuti and teenager Ezra Bidda.
The other battle will be expected on the touch line as former Uganda Cranes servants Charles Livingstone Mbabazi combines with veteran Leo Adraa against another former Cranes international Joseph Mutyaba with Alex Gitta.
Maximum points for Masavu will see them temporarily ease their worries from the relegation concerns as Onduparaka will eye second place with a win.
Match Day-14 fixtures:
Tuesday 19th December 2017.
· Bright Stars FC Vs Police FC , Champions Stadium-Mwererwe (4:30 pm)
· BUL FC Vs Soana FC , Kakindu Stadium-Jinja (4:30pm )
· Maroons FC Vs UPDF FC, Luzira Prison Grounds(4:30pm)
· URA FC Vs Mbarara City FC, M.National Stadium-Namboole (4:30pm)
· Masavu FC Vs Onduparaka FC, Fisheries Training Institute-Entebbe (4:30pm)
Wednesday 20th December 2017
· Express FC Vs Vipers SC , Muteesa II Stadium-Wankulukuku (4:00 pm) live on Azam TV
· KCCA FC Vs Kirinya Jinja SSS FC, StarTimes Stadium-Lugogo(4:00pm)
· SC Villa Vs Proline FC, Masaka Recreation Grounds(4:00pm)
