Saturday, March 22nd 2013
Caf Champions League return leg, Namboole
URA FC (UG) Vs Coton Sport (CMR)
Ahead of the must win second leg tie against Coton Sport, Uganda’s representatives in the 2013 Caf Champions League URA FC warmed up with a 3-2 win over first division side Azam FC in the Uganda Cup but the club faithful must be worried.
Despite the win, the tax men struggled to see off a lower division side and had to come from behind after throwing away a first half lead.
The fact that they conceded two goals against an opposition of such a low calibre also leaves a lot of un answered questions that the technical bench must find solutions for before the Cameroonians’ engagement on Saturday.
Against Azam, URA FC defended like amateurs playing in a Sunday league. The ever dependable Sam Ssenkomi struggled at right back while Joseph Owino was a shadow of the man once tipped to be the heir to Ibrahim Ssekagya. Worrying enough, the side may still be without Simeon Masaba who missed the first leg due to injury and Derrick Walulya who provided cover in Garua is also an injury doubt after missing the Azam game. However, Coach Paul Nkata is optimistic the two or at least one will be fit by Saturday.
“I am still hopeful on Masaba and Derrick”, he said after the match. “Am optimistic they will have shaken off the injuries”.
In goal too, Allan Owiny who put up a man of the match performance in the first leg was calamitous against Azam. His game reading, collection of crosses and communication were ineffective. His mistiming of the cross from the right wing led to Azam’s first goal.
In the centre of the pack, the side struggled without anchorman Oscar Agaba and Osama Farouk and both are injury doubts.
There is a feeling of being on the knife edge, yet with a goalless draw in the first leg, the 2012 Uganda Cup winners would be in buoyant mood.
Going by the club’s current form in the Fufa Super League (FSL), even the most ardent fan of the club must be worried. URA FC have won just one of their previous five games. Such is their form going into Saturday’s must win game.
History books are also against URA FC with the side registering just a single win (Vs Lesotho Correctional Services) at home in Caf competitions. Their previous encounter at Namboole ended in defeat against Mali’s Djoliba FC.
Nevertheless, URA FC still has the opportunity to iron out a few areas before the big game to stand a chance but must pull all their socks off if they are to eliminate the Cameroon side.
Only time will tell.
