Azam Uganda Premier League
Vipers SC vs KCCA FC
St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende
Friday, 27-04-2017 @04:00pm
Vipers SC will host KCCA FC in a game that may potentially decide where the league title will go come the end of the season.
The Venoms currently lead the standings with 49 points after their 3-1 dramatic win over Masavu in the last game but their opponents who thrashed URA 7-2 on Tuesday are only a point away in third.
With SC Villa in second on the same number of points as Vipers and breathing heavily on the Venoms’ necks, non of Vipers or KCCA will want to make a mistake in Friday’s encounter.
Team News:
Vipers will be welcome back captain Nicholas Wadada and midfielder Taddeo Lwanga who were both suspended for the game against Masavu. Dan Bilikwalira, Yayo Lutimba and Moses Waiswa have all shaken off their injuries and are also in contention. James Alitho is the only major absentee for the Venoms as he serves the second of his four match ban.
For KCCA, they will still be without the services of long term absentee Ibrahim Saddam Juma who is still out for a while. Derrick Nsibambi and Muzamir Mutyaba are on a race against time to be fit for the epic clash as at Kitende.
What the coaches are saying.
Edward Golola, Vipers assistant coach:
“We are so ready for them, said Golola who will deputise for the suspended Miguel Da Costa. Da Costa is also serving the second of his four match touchline ban.
“It is always big when the two teams meet and i am positive it will be the same again on Friday.
“The win against Masavu was so vital to us because it builds momentum for the team going into such a huge game.
“Hopefully we have enough luck because they are such a big team and when you look at the fact that KCCA has won the last two league title, it tells you all you need to know about them.
Mike Mutebi, KCCA FC head coach:
“These are the games that every manager will want to be part of.
“It is a potential title decider because both teams can win it which makes it mouth watering for everyone who will attend it.
“I respect Vipers so much because they are a big team with alot of good players but that also applies to us.
“I expect a tight game because on paper, there is so little to separate both sides but i know i have the educated players to win us the game come the sound of the final whistle.
Match Stats.
Head to Head:
Only one point separates the two sides going into Friday’s encounter. Vipers are top of the league with 49 points while KCCA are third on 48.
KCCA have failed to win any of their last six away games against Vipers(D2 L4). The last time that the Kasasiro Boys triumphed on the road in this fixture was in September 2010 when they defeated the Venoms 3-1.
Vipers have won two of the last three fixtures between these two sides including a 2-1 win in the reverse fixture last season.
This fixture has seen 43 goals since 2010, the most in a single league fixture between two sides in that period.
Their has only been one goalless game between Vipers and KCCA in the top flight, taking place in April 2016 at Lugogo.
KCCA won the first meeting between the two sides this season 3-1 at Lugogo.
Vipers SC:
Vipers go into the game unbeaten in their last 14 games in all competitions (W12 D2). The two draws in that period came in their away games at Maroons and Bul.
The Venoms have also not tested league defeat since the 28-November-2017 when they lost 2-1 at home to URA. In that period, they have won nine and drawn two of the 11 games they have played.
They have also been immense at home, losing only one of their last 19 league fixture (W14 D4). They have scored 35 goals in that period whilst conceding
KCCA FC:
KCCA are unbeaten in any of their last 15 competitive fixture (W10 D5), last losing a game away to CNaPS Sport in the CAF Champions League preliminary rounds in February.
In the League, Mike Mutebi’s charges have also gone 12 games minus tasting defeat (W7 D5) , last losing a game in November last year against Proline at Lugogo.
Away from home, KCCA have been less impresive, winning only three games on the road this season (D6 L2).
KCCA are the league top scores this season, averaging almost two goals a game as they have scored 42 goals in their 24 games so far. They are also second defensive wise, letting in only 13 goals all season. Villa is the team that has a better record than the Kasasiro Boys in that aspect as the Jogoos have only conceded nine goals all season.
The Other game to be played:
Police FC vs Onduparaka FC @Namboole, 04;30pm.
