Match Day 16 Fixtures: Saturday, 10th February 2018:
- Sports Club Villa Jogoo Vs Maroons
- At Masaka Recreational Stadium, Masaka
*Kick-off: 4 p.m
Current Uganda Premier league winners, Sports Club Villa Jogoo have a chance to extend their grip at the summit to six points when they host Maroons at the Masaka Recreational Stadium on Saturday.
The Jogoos remain unbeaten at home since transferring from Nakivubo stadium in 2016.
But, Maroons’ determination and free passing philosophy as a club will give the match a different interface altogether.
Heading to match day 16, which is incidentally the kick off of the second round of the league, SC Villa Jogoo leads with 32 points from 15 matches, two points ahead of second placed KCCA.
For starters, KCCA shall not be in action because they are away to Madagascar for the first leg of their CAF Champions league against CNaps in Antanarivo city.
Eleven points separate the 6th placed Maroons from the table leaders.
Coming from the mid-season break, either team have prepared well for the second half of the season.
Maroons brought on board former U-17 Uganda Cubs captain, Emmanuel ‘Song’ Olinga as they played a series of build-up matches.
Maroons held KCCA to a 2 all stalemate at Lugogo, defeated Bunamwaya 4-0 and edged Bugolobi 3-2.
Similarly, SC Villa Jogoo brought on board three new players in the second transfer window.
Former Buddu and Masavu goalkeeper Yusuf Wasswa was joined by left back Arthur Kiggundu from Big league side Simba and Zesco United forward Davis Kasirye (on loan from the Zambian club).
Wasswa Bbosa and Paul Mutakabala’s side also engaged in a number of build ups that they all won convincingly.
Villa defeated City Lads 7-0, Kampala United 2-1, Azam 4-0 and Buwambo (also 4-0).
The Jogoos also ejected non-league side Hope Doves 2-0 out of the Uganda Cup last Saturday at their Masaka fortress.
During the first round match between the two sides, Maroons rallied from a goal down to square off the game with a last minute gasp equalizer.
Maroons head coach Asaph Mwebaze is well aware about the significance of every second round match.
Mwebaze is however skeptical about the unknown heading to the Masaka trip as regards refereeing.
“Nothing drains a coach like a ref (referee) denying his team a penalty !! Back at it tomorrow in Masaka” he posted on his official face book page on Friday morning.
From the vast footballing knowledge that Mwebaze is versed with, add to the unquestionable quality of his players, Maroons is good to out stretch SC Villa Jogoo in Masaka.
His counterpart Bbosa believes he picks the right cards and prays the player combinations tick on the day.
“We have prepared well and we know it will be done to the right mentality and combinations to win us the match in Masaka” Bbosa noted.
Key actors:
SC Villa Jogoo will dwell upon the fine form of forward George Ssenkaaba, who scored five goals in the mid-season recess.
Bbosa and company will also rely on the industriousness of winger Simon Sserunkuma, cunningness of Martin Kizza and Allan Kyambadde, direct approach from Godfrey Lwesibawa, calmness of midfielder Kasozi, the leadership of Bernard Muwanga as well as the safe hands of goalkeeper Samson Kirya.
If fielded any of Wasswa, Kiggundu and Kasirye will mark their debuts with the 16 time league winners.
Maroons’ talisman Pius ‘TZ Iniesta’ Obuya remains that treasured secretive code that any coach will apply to dismantle the opposition.
“We do not fear any club. We are ready for the match” Obuya told Kawowo Sports.
Goalkeeper Ashadu Bugembe will have the side that he last served before crossing over to the Prisons’ run side.
Other players of substance at Maroons to trouble the Jogoos will include midfielder Solomon Walusimbi, striker William Wadri, Yaya Luhti and the robust Eddy Kapampa.
In case Mwebaze fields midfielder Olinga, the former Onduparaka and Gor Mahia youth team player will make his debut.
FIFA woman center referee Aisha Ssemambo will handle the match.
Match Officials::
- Center Referee: Aisha Ssemambo Nabiiko
- 1st Assistant Referee: Mark Ssonko
- 2nd Assistant Referee: Issa Masembe
- Fourth Official: Shamira Nabadda
- Match Assessor: Ali Waiswa
Other Fixtures:
- BUL Vs URA – Kakindu Stadium, Jinja
- Masavu Vs UPDF – Fisheries Training Institute, Entebbe
- Onduparaka Vs Express – Green Light Stadium, Arua
- Police Vs Mbarara City – Mandela National Stadium, Namboole
- Proline Vs Kirinya-Jinja S.S – Star Times Stadium, Lugogo
- Soana Vs Vipers – Kavumba Recreational Stadium
