Uganda Premier League
KCCA FC vs Tooro United FC
StarTimes Stadium, Lugogo
Friday, 17-01-2020 @4:30pm
LUGOGO – KCCA FC will be desperate for victory when they take on Tooro United FC at the StarTimes Stadium on Friday afternoon.
The league defending champions find themselves seven points off the top of the standings with 13 matches to play and in danger of failing to win a third successive title.
Mike Mutebi’s side were beaten 2-1 away to Bright Stars in their latest fixture and have now already lost four games this campaign.
With things not falling for them on the pitch, they have also had issues off it.
Allan Okello and Mustafah Kizza have been wanting to leave the club and it is now understood that they may have succeeded.
Okello is believed to have agreed to a three-year contract at Algerian side Paradou AC while Kizza is also on his way to a Moroccan side and will complete his move later this week.
With that almost sorted now, the Ksasiros will have to shift all their attention to Tooro United.
Speaking ahead of the game, KCCA FC head coach Mike Mutebi has urged his team to respond to the loss on Tuesday and also inflict revenge on Tooro who beat them in the first-round game.
“We have to make a response, noted Mutebi.
“Truth is, we did not do well against Bright Stars and we need to correct mistakes.
“We shall use the same squad we used in the previous game because we are still faced with licensing issues.
“We lost the game in Fortportal and we have since worked on our errors. We hope to put up a better performance.”
Muzamiru Mutyaba is doubtful for the Kasasiros after picking up a shoulder injury against Bright Stars. Skipper Charles Lukwago is also doubtful after missing the previous game due to illness. Julius Poloto, Sadat Anaku, and Sam Ssenyonjo still have licensing issues to sort and may once again miss out. Jurua Hassan, Sadam Juma and Jackson Nunda are ruled out of the contest. Keziron Kizito and Simon Serunkuma are other players that will not feature along with Okello and Kizza.
For Tooro United, they have had a troubled campaign so far and there are no clear indications that the situation has changed.
Last week, Eric Ndifuna resigned as head coach after the club failed to honour a home fixture and in the process lost to Onduparaka FC by forfeiture.
He was replaced with Muhammad Kiseka on Sunday and the former Bright Stars and Paidha Black Angels tactician was in charge of the team’s 1-1 draw away to Kyetume on Wednesday.
Kiseka’s task is a daunting one as he inherited a depleted squad.
Over 12 Tooro United senior players refused to return to the team until their wage arrears are sorted and just like on Wednesday, they are not expected to be available against KCCA FC.
Only John Byamukama, Yafesi Mubiru, Issa Muniru, Faizo Ssekyanzi, Chrispas Kusiime, Denis Mugerwa, Dues Katuramu and captain Willy Kavuma are the recognized names that will feature for Tooro against KCCA FC.
It will be interesting to see how Tooro performs away to a KCCA FC side that is desperate for points.
Match Facts
This will be the 16th meeting between the two sides in all competitions since September 2013.
In the previous 15 encounters, KCCA FC have won 8, Tooro 4 while the other three have ended in draws.
KCCA FC have won five of their six home fixtures against Tooro, losing the other one.
Last season, KCCA took four points off Tooro including a 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture.
However, the first meeting between the two sides this season ended in a 2-1 victory for Tooro United.
KCCA heads into the game having lost only two of their past 12 league games (W9 D1).
At home, the Kasasiros have not lost a league fixture in any of their last 12 matches (W9 D3).
For Tooro, they head into the contest without a victory in any of their last six fixtures (D2 L4).
Away from home, they have won only one game this season (D2 L5).
The other games on Friday
-Police FC vs Kyetume FC @1pm
-Vipers SC vs SC Villa @4pm
