NO WALKERS: Jinja SSS is a potential banana skin for title hopeful KCCA

Uganda Premier League

Friday Fixtures

Kirinya Jinja vs KCCA, Bugembe Stadium-Jinja Stadium, 4:00 pm live on Azam TV

Mbarara City vs URA, Kakyeka Stadium-Mbarara ,4:30pm

Soana vs BUL, Kavumba Recreation Centre,4:30pm

UPDF vs Maroons, Bombo Barracks Ground,4:30pm

Police vs  Bright Stars, M.National  Stadium-Namboole,4:30pm

Onduparaka Vs  Masavu FC, Green Light Stadium-Arua,4:30pm

By Denis West

If you’re facing a side like Kirinya-Jinja SSS that has not lost in the last 10 matches you’ve got to be extra cautious – more so at their deadly backyard.

As the league heads into final bend, with KCCA trailing league leaders SC Villa by seven points (with three games in hand), there is no room for error if the retention bid is to be attained. Bugembe stadium has never been an easy hunting ground for the so called big boys and Jinja SSS coach Charles ‘Mbuzi’ Ayeikho wants to build on that.

“This season we have only lost to Soana at home and that gives us belief that KCCA will be tamed,” Ayeiko said ahead of Friday’s Uganda Premier League tricky encounter.

But 12-time league winners KCCA can pride in never having lost to Jinja SSS in the three league meetings (two wins and one draw).

“We are changing our game plan this time. We are not encountering KCCA through the wings but through the middle with midfielders Bashir Mutanda, Godfrey Akol and George Kasonko,” Ayeikho added.

KCCA Mike Mutebi will be without three vital Hippos players Allan Okello, Julius Poloto and Mustapha Kizza who are preparing for the South Sudan tie on Saturday.

He knows that fourth placed Jinja SSs poses great danger and this is a match that can go a long way in determining their trophy destiny.

“No games are a walk in the park. It’s going to be tough when they play against us because they always give their best,” said the KCCA manager.

Mutebi knows that with title rivals Villa and Vipers out of action this weekend, three points would be a tonic boost to their chase.

Relegation fight on

Basement side Masavu is already in Arua to face Onduparaka in their determined effort to survive the axe. Masavu coaches Ibrahim Kirya and Alex Gitta believe a win at the Green Light Stadium is now possible after Villa broke the Caterpillars’ hoodoo.

The battle of the armed forces at Bombo Barracks promises to be an explosive one as home side UPDF attempts to thrash Asaph Mwebaze’s Maroons that have lost once in over 12 league games. The army side boss Steven Bogere knows league safety is far from being assured and anything but a win would be considered a disappointment.

Abdallah Mubiru continues his Police recovery with a home date against Bright Stars at Namboole in what promises to be a goal-laden affair.