Farouq Miya was the difference between Vipers and other teams of the Uganda Premier League for a larger part of the 2014/2015 season and this term so far.
The midfielder cum striker missed Vipers’ third game of the season against Bul FC because he was away on national duty with the national team in Comoros. Miya returns this Tuesday for Vipers against Sports Club Victoria University on Tuesday.
Vipers’ head coach Edward Golola believes Miya will add that x-factor the team which they didn’t have against Bul, he told the club’s website www.viperssc.com;
He (Miya) brings that x-factor in the team; you could see that in the game against Bul, we didn’t have anyone taking charge, especially in the final third. He has been looking sharp in training, you could see the morale of the other players also going high, we hope that they reflect that on the field tomorrow
Miya has already scored two goals this season, brace coming against The Saints on the opening day of the season, on top of the 11 he scored last season.
Victoria is another stubborn side just like Bul, but we will try to give our best and see that we get the three points. We set out a target as a team to try and win all the games; we drew against Bul which wasn’t a bad result considering we were away from home.
Golola also hinted on the issue of his central defensive pairing where Yusuf Mukisa is likely to continue partnering with Shafiq Bakaki, the former made his maiden season appearance against Bul ahead of Harid Lwaliwa.
If a partnership has played well, there is no need to tinker with it; Mukisa and Bakaki were impressive and solid in the last game though Lwaliwa has also been imposing in training.
William Wadri passed a late fitness and might be considered upfront alongside Duncan Seninde and Miya.
Deus Bukenya, Keziron Kizito and Brian Nkuubi will dominate matters in the midfield, while Ismael Watenga in goal will have skipper Nicholas Wadada and Dan Birikwalira patrol the flanks.
Coincidentally, SCVU was the last team to score a league goal against Vipers, in the one all draw tie at Namboole.
Vipers are ranked third with seven points from three outings while SCVU are 11th with three points from two games.
