The Brief: Vipers SC v BUL FC - Vipers SC Official Website

STARTIMES UGANDA PREMIER LEAGUE
Date: February 23, 2021
Time: 4pm
Venue: St Mary’s stadium

Vipers will hope to maintain their formidable home record against visiting BUL FC who have already blown hot and cold this season when the two sides meet on Tuesday February 23, at the St Mary’s stadium.

The Venoms conjured one of the remarkable comebacks in their home games played so far in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League after Eric Ssenjobe and Brian Mululi Mayanja cancelled out Ibrahim Orit’s opening goal for Vipers in the 22nd minute.

Orit then levelled matters before Congolese Cesar Manzoki sealed victory for the Venoms who immediately relinquished the top spot from the Cops.

“The team did an excellent job and displayed an unrelenting character in the previous win, however we need to keep focused and calm going into the next fixtures because the going is only getting tougher,” Vipers head coach Fred Kajoba cautioned.

The Venoms will have to put up a more spirited display against the edible oil manufacturers as they prepare to stretch their home winning record to five games.

Kajoba’s side has already beaten Kitara FC, MYDA FC, UPDF FC and Police FC at the St Mary’s stadium in this 2020/21 campaign.

Kajoba’s concern through should be improving the backline which has conceded in all but two games. The reigning champions have already let in 10 goals in 8 games, a tally that needs a modest improvement.

Kajoba shared his diagnosis after the team’s last practice saying, “there will be a few blushes here and there, but changes can’t happen in one or two days. Its a concern that we are continuously working on in our practice and there are good signs that things will get better.”

A win for Vipers will keep them on top of the table and also boast their confidence going into their away encounter with Onduparaka FC away in Arua on Saturday this week.

On the other hand, Bul FC has won only one of their last five games with their last win coming against KCCA FC at Bugembe stadium. They come into this game seeking quick answers following a humiliating 4-0 home loss to Express last Saturday.

Arthur Kyesimire’s side is yet to win a game at the St Mary’s and their search for that maiden victory will continue on Tuesday evening.

Here’s how the most recent meetings between the two sides:

09/02/20: BUL 2-3 Vipers
22/10/19: Vipers 2-1 BUL
04/05/19: Vipers 1-0 BUL
19/12/18: BUL 1-3 Vipers
11/04/18: BUL 0-0 Vipers
15/09/17: Vipers 1-0 BUL
03/03/17: BUL 1-2 Vipers

Team News:

Goalkeeper Kiggundu is ruled out with an injury making Bashir Sekagya and Fabien Mutombora the available pair for selection in goal.

Ceasar Manzoki is fine despite limping off in Vipers win over Police FC on Friday last week.

Rashid Toha resumed training with his teammates but will have to undergo a late fitness test to determine his availability.