Uganda Premier League
URA FC vs Vipers SC
Arena of Visions, Bombo
Friday, 21-02-2020 @4pm
Vipers SC will be hoping to move further clear at the top of the Uganda Premier League when they take on URA FC at the Arena of Visions in Bombo on Friday.
The Venoms currently lead the league with five clear points and a draw or victory on Friday will see them pull one or three points further clear of second placed KCCA FC who play their match-day 23 fixture the following day.
It will be a disaster if Vipers fail to win thw league this season having been top of it since match-day two.
However, to seal the crown, they must take care of side like URA FC who are viewed as ones that are currently the other big boys of Ugandan football outside Vipers SC and KCCA FC.
“This is a good challenge for us,” stated Vipers coach Fred Kajoba ahead of the game as quoted by Vipers.com.
“We face a good side and such games always bring the best out of everyone.”
“I believe in my players. They have the mental strength, quality and nerve required to breakdown difficult opposition.
“We’re targeting to win the title and that’s our only target.
“We’re fighting for it every day. And our desire for it, will drive us to perform better.”
Aziz Kayondo returns to the Vipers first team after serving a one-match suspension having accumulated three yellow cards. Geoffrey Wasswa was deployed at left back in the draw with KCCA but Kayondo’s return boosts Fred Kajoba’s defense options with Halid Lwaliwa out of this fixture with a swollen toe. Tito Okello was forced off the previous game after picking a head injury thus this game comes a little too early for him. He will instead be expected to return for the next fixture against Luzira Prisons-based Maroons next week. The pair of Umar Kyebatala and Abraham Ndugwa could make the match day squad after missing the last game.
For URA FC, they will be hoping to return to winning ways when they face the log leaders.
URA had been in brilliant form going on a 12-match unbeaten before they were beaten 3-0 by Busoga United FC on Tuesday.
It was a poor display by the Tax Collectors but one that Sam Simbwa hopes his side did learn from.
“It was a disappointing result and one you struggle to overcome immediately, noted Simbwa.
“However, if you want to be a bigger side and finish as high as possible on the table, you must make a response immediately.
“We are going to host the leaders and we will be hoping to give them a good game and a run for their money.”
URA FC starts the day in 4th, 16 points behind leaders Vipers while 6 (points) off third spot.
Match Facts
This will be the 20th meeting between URA FC and Vipers SC since February 2011.
In that period, Vipers have won 6 of their match-ups while URA have triumphed on 5 occasions with the other 8 all ending in draws.
Last season, Vipers did not register a single victory over URA FC, drawing 1-1 away to the Tax Collectors.
Vipers won the first meeting between the two side 1-0 earlier in the season.
URA head into the game having lost only one of their last 11 league games (W5 D5).
At home, Simbwa’s side have won all their past four games, scoring 7 goals and conceding just twice.
For Vipers, they are currently on a four-game unbeaten run, winning twice and drawing as many.
Away from home, Kajoba’s side have won three of their last four away games with the only exception being the 0-0 draw at Mbarara City FC.
The other game to be played on Friday
-Maroons vs Busoga United FC @4:30pm
