Uganda Premier League:
- Tuesday, 17th April 2018
- Onduparaka Vs KCCA
- At Green Light Stadium, Arua (4:30 pm)
When Arua crowd darlings Onduparaka football club plays host to the reigning Uganda Premier League champions, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) on Tuesday, there will be one constant.
KCCA will be seeking for their first maximum points off the Caterpillars at the dreaded Green Light Stadium where they have lost to only SC Villa Jogoo since the club’s inception, eight years ago.
For obvious reasons, the center of attraction shall dwell upon striker Muhammed ‘Deldon Jaggarson’ Shaban.
For starters, Shaban was the Onduparaka captain when the club attained promotion to the top flight and played for them in their maiden season before he handed in a transfer request much to the surprise of the club faithfuls.
His eventual transfer to KCCA was decimated by hitches here and there which saw him miss several of the club’s opening matches.
Fans and former club-mates will welcome him with mixed feelings.
Add to the tension of the game and its relevance to the title chasing clubs, the fixture is eagerly awaited.
Shaban, however, remains unfazed and looks forward the match;
I am strong hearted and will play to my best. I look forward playing well and helping my current club towards winning the match and attaining our set ambitions.
At the moment, KCCA is second placed with 44 points, five off the leaders, SC Villa Jogoo who host third placed Vipers on the same day.
To KCCA assistant manager, the game against Onduparaka means a whole lot to the team;
We are prepared and shall assemble our best players because we need maximum points in the match so that we can catch up with the leaders (Sports Club Villa Jogoo)
Key battles and players:
Onduparaka skipper Rashid ‘Mertasacker’ Toha will face child hood friend Shaban and Derrick Nsibambi as the two KCCA main lead strikers alongside Patrick Kaddu.
Toha’s primary goal among others will be to keep at bay the KCCA forwards and shield as well, the on-colour goalkeeper Nicholas Ssebwato.
Rashid Okocha, normally employed at left back for Onduparaka will come face to face with Paul Mucureezi, Julius Poloto and Allan Okello who normally prefers to orchestrate his moves from the right.
It is likely to be a crowded midfield affair when Isaac Kirabira, Jackson Nunda, Lawrence Bukenya and Muzamiru Mutyaba fight for space and every ball with the likes of Gaddafi Gadiho, Ivan Mbowa and company.
The Onduparaka forward line has tried and tested Samson Ceaser Okhuti, a former KCCA player, tenager Ezra Bidda, John Wesley Kisakye and the sharp Viane Ssekajugo who will lock horns with the KCCA backline of captain Timothy Denis Awanyi, Denis Okot Oola, Mustapha Kizza, Hassan Musana and Paul Musana to shield another great goalkeeper Charles Lukwago.
The Catarpillars remain under the hands of Simeon Masaba, Leo Adraa and goalkeeping coach Moses “Ugoboss” Oloya.
Onduparaka is currently 5th with 39 points and maximum points will drive them closer to the leading pack.
All Match Day-25 fixtures:
Tuesday 17th April 2018.
- SC Villa Vs Vipers SC , Masaka Recreation Ground (4:00 pm) live on TV
- Express FC Vs UPDF FC , Muteesa II Stadium-Wankulukuku (4:30pm )
- Proline FC Vs Police FC, Star Times Stadium-Lugogo (4:30pm)
- Onduparaka FC Vs KCCA FC, Green Light Stadium-Arua (4:30pm)
Wednesday 18th April 2018
- Masavu FC Vs Soana FC , Fisheries Training Institute-Entebbe (4:00 pm) live on TV
- Mbarara City FC Vs BUL FC, Kakyeka Stadium-Mbarara (4:30pm)
Friday 20th April 2018
- URA FC Vs Maroons FC , M.National Stadium-Namboole (4:00 pm) live on TV
Saturday 21st April 2018.
- BUL FC Vs Kirinya Jinja SSS FC, Kakindu Stadium-Jinja(4:00pm) live on TV
- Bright Stars FC Vs Mbarara City FC, Champions Stadium-Mwererwe (4:00 pm)