We face BUL for the third time in our first season playing top-flight football, this time in the Stanbic Uganda Cup semifinal first leg after being drawn together.
Having played them just three days ago, we are coming out all guns blazing to replicate or even better our performance in a highly contested, very physical encounter on Wednesday in the league where we emerged triumphant after Kelvin Barni’s sole goal. The Eastern Giants will be seeking revenge in a FUFA TV televised 3:00pm kick off at Njeru Technical Center.
Double in sight:
After our 1-0 win over the Eastern Giants on Wednesday, we have surged back into contention for the StarTimes Uganda Premier trophy, sitting only 4 points below the table leaders. With a semifinal place in the Stanbic Uganda Cup, we are still chasing the double and remain firmly in contention for both the League and Cup titles.
On the other hand, BUL, who are three points ahead of us in the league, are also vying for the double. They have previously clinched the Stanbic Uganda Cup with a convincing 3-1 win against Vipers SC, drawing strength from this historical achievement ahead of our upcoming encounter.
As former champions and first-time semifinalists, both teams are determined to deliver a captivating match, with both our sights set on achieving the double this season.
Previous encounters:
In our lifetime, we have only met twice, and both encounters occurred in the League. The first game ended in a 1-1 draw in Njeru, while in the second encounter, much to BUL’s dismay, we secured a 1-0 victory at our home ground – MTN Omondi Stadium in Lugogo.
Both matches showcased a mix of on-field battles, from defensive prowess to both mental and physical midfield encounters. In the first encounter, we were unlucky to concede after initially taking the lead through Okocha who received and converted a brilliant pass from Ssebaggala. However, a late substitute, Samuel Kayongo Ssekamatte, equalized with a header off Mwere’s cross, denying us what would have been a satisfying victory.
The fixture, which has been short on goals overall, saw us clinch a hard-fought win in our second meeting. Kelvin Barni capitalized on Ikara’s 54th-minute mistake, dribbling before slotting the ball into the back of the net.
Tricky fixture:
We have both been tasked with playing four games in less than two weeks. However, our fixture against Express was suspended, according to the released fixtures for Matchday 26 of the StarTimes Uganda Premier League. Consequently, our remaining fixtures have been reduced to only two, all against BUL.
On the other hand, BUL has their own set of fixtures, including one that could define the title race for them and their opponent Vipers, scheduled to be played on Wednesday in Namboole. This will provide them with a break from what would have been a straight triple-header against NEC.
What Coaches say:
Hussein Mbalangu
https://youtu.be/SEHAIgZjE7U?si=9jclIcSwKzE95Fi0
Team News:
The head coach confirmed in a press conference that he has a fully fit squad to take on BUL in the semifinal first round, with Kimwero, who suffered a knock earlier in the week, back in the squad.