Pilsner Super 8
Vipers SC vs Mbarara City FC
St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende
Friday, 09-08-2019 @4pm
Referee: William Oloya
KITENDE – Vipers SC will be hoping to reach the Pilsner Super 8 final when they host Mbarara City at the St. Mary’s Stadium in Kitende on Friday afternoon.
The Venoms are desperate for silverware having walked away empty-handed in the 2018/19 season.
The Super 8 may not be a big priority but a chance to win something before the start of the season and the Venoms are very much intent on doing exactly that.
“Our aim is to win the game, noted Vipers head coach Edward Golola before the game.
“We play a good side but we shall play each minute like it is the last.”
Vipers SC had to scrap to a 1-0 victory in their last 8 game against Proline FC last week and will know that they must play better that is if they are to reach the final.
Ahead of the fixture, news at Kitende has been dominated by the signing of former Onduparaka FC and KCCA FC striker Muhammad Shaban who joined the club on Tuesday.
However, Shaban is not expected to take part in the game as he is yet to obtain proper match fitness.
Joining him on the sidelines is the pair of Rashid Toha and Ashraf Mugume who are both injured. The good news for the Venoms is that Siraje Ssentamu has recovered from a knock suffered against Proline and is set to take part.
The quartet of Paul Willa, Dan Sserunkuma, Tom Matsiko and Allan Kayiwa, who have all been in camp with the Uganda Cranes CHAN team in the last couple of weeks, are also available for selection.
For Mbarara City, they are also very much intent on winning this year’s Super 8 title.
They defeated URA FC 2-0 in their round of 8 clash last Friday and will be hoping to do the same to the Venoms.
Like Vipers SC who employed Golola as head coach last month, the Ankole Lions are also under the guidance of a new manager.
Brian Ssenyondo is the man currently at the helm and after an impressive first game, the former Paidha Black Angels tactician wants more.
“We are so delighted to have won the first game impressively, noted Ssenyondo.
“We know what we are required to do if we are to win the tournament and trust me, we will try our best.
“Vipers are one of the best sides in the country in the last few years but we are not scared of them.”
The Ankole Lions will be looking at the duo of Paul Mucurezi and Brian Ahebwa for inspiration. The duo scored their two goals against URA FC last week.
Match stats
Vipers finished second last season with 59 points, 13 ahead of Mbarara who could only manage 5th.
This will be the 5th meeting between the two sides ever since Mbarara made their latest return to the top flight in 2017.
In the previous 4 fixtures, Vipers are unbeaten, winning two and drawing the other two.
Mbarara City have scored only one goal in those four games whilst conceding 4.
When Vipers hosted Mbarara City last season, the two sides drew 1-1 at the St. Mary’s Stadium in Kitende.
The Pilsner Super 8 results so far
Quarter finals
-Vipers SC 1-0 Proline FC
-Mbarara City FC 2-0 URA FC
-Onduparaka FC 1-0 Tooro
-Wakiso Giants vs KCCA FC
Semi finals
-KCCA FC vs Onduparaka FC
