MATCH DAY: BUL VISIT URA IN NAKISUNGA AS KAMPALA DERBY GETS UNDER WAY AT WANKULUKU

UPL MATCH FIXTURES TODAY

• SC Villa Vs Express FC - Sir Mutesa II Stadium - Wankuluku Kick Off - 4:00PM (FUFA TV)
• URA Vs Bull FC - Nakisunga Saza ground - Kick Off - 4:00PM

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW - KAMPALA DERBY

The Star Times Uganda Premier League returns this Friday with the famous Kampala Derby as SC villa hosts the Red Eagles at Sir Mutesa II Stadium - Wankulukuku starting at 4:00PM EAT with both sides looking to seize bragging rights and improve their positive start to the season. 

Long-time Ugandan football rivals SC Villa and Express renew acquaintances with the former hosting the latter at their shared home, Mutesa II stadium, Wankulukuku.

Both teams are level on 4 points in the league and Villa are ahead in league position having conceded no goal yet this season, but Villa will be conscious of their poor record against the red eagles in the past two seasons having lost twice and drawn twice in all league encounters.
The Red Eagles are looking to make it back to back victories in order to keep their title winning hopes high.

For over decades now, the Kampala derby has been the Arguably the biggest rivalry in the histrory of the Ugandan top tier league with much memories rolling back to the times of the then Uganda Super League. 

The two share 23 domestic titles although Villa have more than double against their eternal enemies with 16.  Villa is ahead in the previous 20 league meetings with 9 wins against Express’ 6 and 5 have been draws.

They come into the game tied on same points (four) and coincidently, picked from same venues – a point at Bombo and three at Wankulukuku. Villa beat Gaddafi 2-0 at home before drawing goalless with Onduparaka at Bombo while Express picked their first point at Bombo in a 1-1 draw with UPDF and won 1-0 against URA at Wankulukuku. Both coaches are optimistic and aware of the big task ahead.

NELLY MAGERA (SC VILLA COACH): 

“It is a very big game against a long-time rival but we have prepared well to overcome such fixture. We didn’t score in the last game which explains problems in as far as the offensive side is concerned but we have been working on the area and we hope to get all points.”

JAMES ODOCH (EXPRESS FC COACH): 

“SC Villa is hosting us yes however we have the aura of Wankulukuku and it feels like home already and we are prepared. SC Villa is our traditional rival however we have a good record against them of recent and we are looking forward to keep it this way.”

TEAM NEWS - SC VILLA

TEAM NEWS - EXPRESS FC

Left Back Arthur Kiggundu won’t be available for selection after sustaining a knee injury in the previous fixture against URA FC. Midfielders Abu baker Kasule and Yusuf Ssozi are still in the sick bay as teenage goal Keeper David Lukwago is still out recovering. The rest of the squad is available for selection.

PREVIOUS HEAD TO HEAT STARTS - SC VILLA Vs EXPRESS FC

^{SC Villa beat arch-rivals Express FC in Uganda Premier League - 2018}

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW - URA VS 

As the Kampala derby actions at Sir Mutesa II Stadium Wankuluku takes shape, the Tax Collectors - URA FC Make Short Trip To Wankulukuku In Search Of First Season Victory. 

It will be the 27th meeting between the two sides with the 8 wins in our favor, three of those coming at Wankulukuku. Prior to that, Alex Isabirye’s men claimed a 5-0 victory over Blacks Power on October 1 to start the season on the right footing.

This means the Eastern Giants have picked up every point there is to pick to lead the table standings with six points, one ahead of second placed Maroons. Now with some strong league form steaming in the team, a trip to Nakisunga Saza ground has come at the right time having won the last meeting between the sides at Kyabazinga stadium and will fancy their chances of picking up back-to-back wins for the first time off the Tax collectors who are still winless this campaign .

URA were held to a draw by Onduparaka on the opening weekend before falling to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Express last time out. This slow start to the campaign has left them placed 13th in the standings with one point ahead of our 23rd meeting in the league.

MATCH GACTS

It is two wins for BUL from as many games, producing eight goals, the highest in the division.
The last four visits to the Tax Collectors ended in three draws and one loss for the Eastern Giants.
Of the nine stalemates in this fixture, five were one all draws. two were goalless, while the other two were two all draws.

BUL’s three wins off URA arrived with clean sheets, the similar scores of 1-0 in April of 2016 and February 2018, and the 2-0 victory in April 2022. URA are yet to score a goal this campaign but they have conceded only once.

MATCH OFFICIALS 

Ali Sabilla will over see the match from the center as Mafumu Mustapha and Lulenzi Sharif to run the lines as the first and second assistant referees in that order. Wasswa Alex will serve as the fourth official, while Ssonko Mark will be the referee assessor. The match coordinator for this game will be Waiswa Ajab.

MATCH COVERAGE

The game is not on television but you can follow the action through our social media channels, with full text coverage during the game, followed by a match report. Kindly subscribe to Host TV and follow updates on dailywestnile.info as well as on our Facebook handle.

TEAM NEWS - BULL FC

After featuring in most of the matches last season, and playing every minute this campaign, Richard Ayiko is the only player to sit out tomorrow’s encounter. He has been given time off to cool down. But the rest of the players remain in contention as there is a clean bill of health at the club and the squad is suspension free.

The clash between BUL and URA is always a big act in Ugandan football and before the showdown unfolds, team manager Alex Isabirye and midfielder Ibrahim Kazindula let out their expectations and opinions about tomorrow’s contest. 

“Everyone knows what it means to get three points when away to URA,” he said. “And It is good we won our first two games and we want to go into this match with all that confidence.“ “I know they have struggled a bit after going two games without a goal but we all know they are a good side with a third place finish last season, and they have good coaches who I believe are doing everything to win tomorrow but we are ready for them.”

Speaking about confidence, Ibrahim Kazindula was just full of it to the bream towards the match.
“This promises not be an easy game but our target is to get maximum points in each game we play. And on the outlook, URA is a good team but we are better now therefore expect everything to be alright,” he said.

TEAM NEWS - URA FC

All players are in contention as no injury concerns have been reported apart from the long absentees like James Alitho. New boy George Senkaaba will be in the spotlight, facing his former paymasters and he can’t wait for the moment.

“I have respect for Express FC but I am now a URA player and if given chance by the coach I will take it fully to ensure I help my team get the much needed points. ”He said in the pre-match press conference.

Head Coach Sam Timbe is optimistic they will get the much needed results after correcting their mistakes.“We have corrected our mistakes and the mood is good, we believe we shall achieve what we wish against Express FC tomorrow.”

^{BUL FC 2-0 URA FC | Goals and Highlights (April 4, 2022)}