The opportunity to secure third place in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League is within our reach this evening as we face Gaddafi in what promises to be another challenging encounter at the Gaddafi Arena in Jinja.
If we manage to bounce back to winning ways tonight, we will have the chance to leapfrog Vipers, who are set to be hosted by Wakiso Giants at St. Mary’s Stadium Kitende on Sunday, March 10. Securing a victory will not only position us in third place on the league table but will also mark our first-ever win against Gaddafi FC, who defeated us in our initial encounter with a painful 3-0 loss at the MTN Omondi Stadium in Lugogo.
The soldier boys have accumulated only 18 points from the 18 games played this season, averaging a point per match. Unfortunately, they have struggled to find consistent form and currently rank fourth among teams that have conceded the most goals in this campaign. They are only above the already relegated Arual Hill, and those fighting for survival; UPDF, and Busoga United.
Soldier boys continue fighting:
With just five wins and three draws, Gaddafi finds themselves in a critical situation, sitting just 2 points above relegation. Having lost 10 games, the call for a better fight is a necessity that needs no encouragement if they are to survive relegation back to the Big League.
Having lost to URA in the second-round opener, Gaddafi has fought hard, drawing against Vipers and Busoga United in a goalless and a one-all draw respectively, to keep themselves out of the red line on the table. It is with the same fight that they are expected to play with this evening when they take on Mbalangu’s men at the Gaddafi Arena.
What Mbalangu says:
The mood in the camp is very positive, courtesy of the qualification to the quarterfinals of the Stanbic Uganda Cup after beating Busoga United in Jinja. We are looking forward to heading back and replicating the same result.
On facing a team that beat us 3-0 in the first leg, “we are very ready for this fixture because we have an unfinished job due to the loss of the 3 points, and they must pay the debt. It’s a do-or-die game.”
Regarding injuries, the gaffer noted that Ssebaggala is back in rehabilitation training, while Samson Kiirya is out with a shoulder injury. Atendele is out with a red card, and the rest of the squad is available for selection.
It should be noted that we have not lost any game in Jinja, having won the two fixtures against Busoga United and securing a one-all draw against BUL. The team will find solace in this fact and will play to carry on an impressive show in Jinja this evening.
Kick-off is scheduled for 4:00 pm, and the broadcast is by FUFA TV.