Uganda Premier League:
- Friday, 2nd March 2018
- Maroons Vs Vipers (4 p.m)
- At Luzira Prisons Stadium
Fifth placed Maroons will host second lying Vipers at the Luzira Stadium in the Uganda Premier League on Friday.
This will be one of the two games on the menu for the day.
Asaph Mwebaze’s coached side has been an on form side since the start of the second round.
Maroons held SC Villa Jogoo to a goal-less draw away in Masaka, had another non scoring stalemate at home with Masavu before edging Proline 1-0 at Lugogo.
On the other hand, Vipers has had a roll coaster of positive results, winning 1-0 away to Soana and out smarting Mbarara City 2-0 at St Mary’s Kitende.
Ball retention and attacking philosophy:
Either side has a culture of retaining the ball before seeking for a break-through in the final third of the playing field.
Whereas Maroons boost of proven ball players in Pius Obuya, Ronald Orombi and Solomon Walusimbi, Vipers, too, has Frank Tumwesigye, Moses Waiswa and Tom Masiko.
Holding midfielder Felix Okot proves the shielding role of the backline as so does any of Deus Bukenya and Tadeo Lwanga.
Patrick Gonahasa and the pacy Sydney Chika will provide the starting point for Maroons upfront against a backline that has Geofrey Wasswa, Bashir Asiku, Nico Wakiro Wadada and Yayo Lutimba with James Alitho in goal.
Alitho will start in goal as first choice goalkeeper Ismail Watenga continues with the recovery process from a troublesome knee.
Team Vipers, coached by Portuguese national Miguel Da Costa will look to the fine form of the attacking trio – Erisa Ssekisambu, Milton Karisa and the league marksman, Daniel ‘Muzeyi’ Sserunkuma for the much needed breakthrough.
Maroons’ defence unless otherwise will have Eddy Kapampa, Slyvester Okello, Richard Ayiko, Allan Anguyo and former SC Villa goalkeeper Ashadu Bugembe in goal.
After picking his player for the month of February accolade on Thursday morning, striker Sserunkuma openly expressed the need to score for more goals.
I want to keep working for the team and above all scoring.
This award motivates me more. My target is to score as many goals as possible so that we win the trophy.
During the first leg encounter on 18th November 2017, the two clubs played to a one all draw.
Solomon Walusimbi gave the visiting team the lead before Yayo Lutimba’s last strike salvaged at least a point.
Vipers is second on the 16 team log with 36 points, one shy of leaders, SC Villa Jogoo.
Maroons, on the other hand, are 5th with 26 points.
Should Vipers pick an outright victory, they will go top of the league standings as Villa visits Bright Stars on Saturday.
Probable Line Ups:
Maroons XI:
Ashadu Bugembe (G.K), Eddy Kapampa, Sylvester Okello, Allan Anguyo, Richard Ayiko, Ronald Orombi, Felix Okot, Pius Obuya, Patrick Gonahasa, Sydney Chika, Solomon Walusimbi
Vipers XI:
James Alitho (G.K), Nico Wakiro Wadada, Yayo Lutimba, Geofrey Wasswa, Deus Bukenya, Bashir Asiku, Tom Masiko, Milton Karisa, Moses Waiswa, Dan Sserunkuma, Erisa Ssekisambu