We head to Wakisha seeking to go third in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League, level on points with second-placed BUL, who hold the second position with a superior 13-goal difference.
Form guide:
URA F.C: In the last eight second-round matches, URA has won thrice, against Gaddafi, UPDF, and Maroons. These wins came in the first four games, only losing to Wakiso Giants, collecting 9 points from a possible 12.
However, in the last four league games played, URA has only managed a draw against BUL, collecting one point from the possible 12, while being beaten in the last three league games against table leaders Kitara, third-placed Vipers, and struggling Express. During the same time, URA was beaten by KCCA and knocked out of the Stanbic Uganda Cup.
NEC: We have seen positive results coming our way, thanks to Mbalangu and his technical staff, with only 2 losses, against KCCA who managed to avenge the first-round 2-0 win we got over them, and Wakiso Giants, who have actually managed to get the better of us so far, earning 4 points.
Our draw against UPDF denied us a chance to add them to our ‘double club,’ while Busoga United, Mbarara City, Gaddafi, Maroons, and the table leaders – Kitara – were all beaten in the second round. Therefore, we have collected 16 points out of a possible 24, propelling us to the 5th position on the table ahead of this encounter.
The NEC double club:
So far this season, we have added three teams to our ‘double club’ – those against whom we have collected maximum points with wins both home and away. These teams include Busoga United, Mbarara City, and Maroons.
Ahead of today’s encounter, the team is looking to add a fourth team to this club when we beat the tax collectors, whom we defeated in the first round when they visited us at Lugogo. This win propels us to third place, level on points with second-placed BUL, who hold a stronger 13-goal difference.
David Obua:
The league spectators will surely miss the “Obua ball,” with the former professional footballer and coach having left the URA coaching role in a mutual termination. The head coach, who barely spent 6 months at URA, had established a playing style many would love to see on a daily basis. However, with results not meeting expectations, the contract was terminated. Today’s encounter marks a new beginning for the tax collectors, who will have Robert Mukasa as their head coach on an interim basis.
What coaches say;
Robert Mukasa:
https://youtu.be/ofdXMb5xOmg?si=sTfCp0PO3GuV4RxD
Mbalangu Hussein:
https://youtu.be/29za8yomzvQ?si=wfnbTvgMCaHmLkp7