2018/19 Uganda Premier League (Match Day 8):
Friday, 23rd November 2018
Vipers Vs Paidha Black Angels
At St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende (4:00 PM)
Every time there is a football game at the St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, it is more of a festival.
Besides the football action being played on the newly laid astro turf, the atmosphere in the terraces is breathe-taking with many fans chanting from start to finish of the game.
Again, such an atmosphere is anticipated when the reigning league champions Vipers S.C play host to newly promoted West Nile based club, Paidha Black Angels.
Coming to this particular game, Vipers is currently fourth placed with 15 points, same as KCCA and Bright Stars, just a point shy of surprise table leaders Mbarara City Football Club.
On the contrast, Paidha Black Angels is bottom placed with just 4 points fetched from 7 matches, same as SC Villa and Nyamityobora.
Team News:
Vipers Sports Club:
Since their one all draw away to Express at Mutesa II Wankulukuku Stadium, the Venoms have been on a break for the international matches where a couple of their players were involved with the respective national teams (Uganda Cranes, Uganda Kobs and the Burundi U-23 team).
During the break, there was good and sad news for the Kitende based outfit.
To start with; the positives. A number of their players featured in the international games as Moses Waiswa and Tadeo Lwanga in action with the Uganda Cranes at home against Cape Verde and away with Nigeria.
Defenders Bashir Asiku and Geoffrey Wasswa as well as midfielder Duncan Sseninde were part of the Uganda Kobs team that embarrassingly got involved in the 2-1 aggregate loss to South Sudan in the CAF U-23 qualifier.
The other positive was the naming of Vipers head coach Martinez Espinoza as the best manager of the month for October 2018, a reward that came with a hefty cash reward of Shs 1,000,000.
Sadly, their first-choice goalkeeper Fabien Mutombora was involved in a nasty incident during Burundi’s 2-0 loss away to Tanzania in the U-23 qualifiers.
Consequently, Mutombora is sidelined from the Paidha Black Angels’ game because of the injury.
This implies that the onus to be in goal against Paidha Black Angels will be upon Derrick Ochan or former UPDF stylish goalkeeper Bashir Ssekagya.
The return of Lwanga, Waiswa, Wasswa, Asiku and Sseninde is perhaps a timely boost to the Kitende side.
These will beef up the likes of Tito Okello, Abraham Ndugwa, Halid Lwaliwa, Yayo Kato Lutimba, Ibrahim Kiyemba, Dan Muzeyi Sserunkuma and company.
Martinez Espinoza, head coach Vipers Sports Club
It is good to return to the league this Friday after the break. We need to return with a victory at home. The month of October for me accolade is a result of the entire team effort from the Vipers’ family.
Paidha Black Angels:
This newly promoted club that hails from Zombo district in West Nile has blown hot and cold in the opening 7 games of the season.
From the slim 2-1 win at the foster home in Arua (Green Light Stadium) over Police, Paidha Black Angels has never recovered.
They picked a point with a goal-less draw with Tooro United, fell to URA (1-0), BUL (3-0), Ndejje University (1-0), Express (3-1) and lately Mbarara City (2-0).
According to head coach Muhammed Kiseka, his side is on a perfect learning curve and hopes to improve game after game.
Muhammed Kisekka, head coach Paidha Black Angels
We have had mixed results since being promoted. We shall continue to work hard as well.
The Blacks will dwell upon players as Jackson Nsubuga, goalkeeper John Kalumba, Cromwel Rwothomio, Ceaser Olega, Muhammed Kasirye, Yudah Mugalu, South Sudanese international Bernard Agele and former Vipers’ hit man Julius Malingumu for inspiration.
Meanwhile, the league will return on Saturday when URA hosts Police at Namboole before Sunday’s match as Nyamityobora visits 12 time Uganda Premier League champions KCCA at the Star Times Stadium, Namoole.
Saturday, 24th November 2018:
URA Vs Police – Mandela National Stadium, Namboole (4:00 P.M)
Sunday, 25th November 2018:
KCCA Vs Nyamityobora – Star Times Stadium, Lugogo (4:00 P.M)