StarTimes Uganda Premier League
Friday (March 1)
Vipers vs Express
4pm|St Mary’s stadium
Vipers sports club has the opportunity to temporarily move level on points with table leaders KCCA when we host nemesis rivals Express FC tomorrow (March 1st), in a must win Uganda Premier League game at the St Mary’s stadium.
Having gone six points off the top a few days ago, to be in a position of going level, is really a chance the lads have to grab with both hands if we are to retain the title.
The Venoms will be targeting to bag maximum points after frustratingly dropping two points earlier in midweek away in Arua against the Caterpillars and still trail log leaders KCCA by 3 points ahead of this crucial encounter.
Out of the previous 13 league fixtures Vipers has hosted Express, the Venoms have won 9, drawn 2, and lost 2 matches scoring 19 goals while conceding 9 in the process therefore we start as favourites though the visitors won’t be pushovers as they are also fighting for own survival.
The Opposition :
Unlike last season when they were the whipping boys, the Wankulukuku outfit have slightly improved in performance having managed 7 wins, 7 draws plus 7 losses therefore will fancy own chances to cause an upset at Kitende.
This will be George Semwogerere’s fifth match in charge of the Red Eagles following Kefa Kisala’s exit and his graph stands at 2 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss out of the previous four he has managed.
The visitors will miss the services of their regular starter Arthur Kiggundu for tomorrow’s engagement after he picked up an injury during training but the rest of the other players are available for selection.
The Red Eagles come into this game with a psychological boost having won 1-0 away against Ndejje but will need to double their effort to overcome the Venoms in Kitende, a place where they miserably lost 5-0 during their last visit.
Last meeting at Kitende
Vipers 5-0 Express
Express went into this fixture desperately fighting against relegation while Vipers needed the points to boost own chances of lifting the league title and by Rajab Bakasambe’s final whistle, the Venoms had thumped the Red Eagles 5-0 through Dan Sserunkuuma’s hat trick aided by Geofrey Wasswa’s strike with Duncan Seninde completing the rout.
Team News:
The Venoms have to do without defensive kingpins in Geofrey Wasswa and Livingstone Mulondo who remain sidelined due to injuries and their return dates are still unknown.
However Bashir Asiku may take part if selected following his return back to full training after missing the previous five games.
Moses Waiswa could return to the starting lineup having missed three league ties against Tooro United, Bright Stars and Onduparaka plus a Uganda cup match with Kiboga Young at the round of 16.
Bashir Sekagya remains a long time absentee but Abraham Ndugwa, Duncan Sseninde, and Hamis Kiiza might be drawn into the starting team against Express.
Form:
Vipers last five league matches:
Drew 0-0 against Onduparaka
Beat Bright Stars 3-0
Drew 1-1 with Tooro United
Lost 3-1 to SC Villa
Beat Nyamityoboora 1-0
Express last five league matches:
Beat Ndejje University 1-0
Drew 1-1 with Maroons
Beat Nyamityobora 2-0
Lost 1-0 to BUL FC
Lost 2-0 to Police FC
What Coach Michael Nam Ouma says:
“We have to try to win the game, especially considering that we are home. We have the obligation to close the gap on KCCA FC and there will be no variation on what we usually do.”
“Matches of this importance are always difficult but we know the importance and focused on securing maximum points.”