Shafic Kiyaga
Mbarara City have made the over 200-mile journey to the capital to face a Police Football Club seeking to secure a fourth league win in a row.
The Cops on the other hand have recovered from a sticky patch of form – suffering three straight defeats – to register three wins and two draws from their next five games. Their last outing against URA – a goalless draw- was as flat as they can get. There was little of the fighting spirit shown in the comeback victory over Tooro United days earlier.
Abdallah Mubiru admitted to being ‘frustrated’ by his side’s showing at Namboole, although the Cops head coach fell short of criticising any individuals, insisting that a point would have been the right outcome on the night.
Mubiru now needs to instill some confidence back into his players, who appear to be unable to turn on the style when they come up against the division’s more competitive sides.
Their opponents on Friday however lie in third on 16 points, five point above the hosts and two below table leaders KCCA and Vipers SC.
Mbarara City have put on by far their best displays since they gained promotion to the top flight. Their 1-0 win over BUL Bidco in their last match sent them to the top of the table but their lead was overturned after KCCA and Vipers won their respective matches.
Mbarara were fortunate to come out of that game against fellow high flyers BUL with all three points relying on a first half goal by Paul Mucureezi to get them over the line in a cagey affair at Kakyeka Stadium.
That ultimately made it three league wins in a row, and ensuring that the Ankole Lions enjoyed their highest position at this stage of the season.
Livingstone Mbabazi needs no reminding that his side also won two in a row at the beginning of the season culminating in the 3-1 triumph over Express at Kavumba only then to lose away to rivals Nyamityobora and pick up a massive draw against KCCA to get their season back on track.
Mbabazi will be cautious to keep his team’s momentum going into tricky home fixtures against URA and Tooro United before travelling to champions Vipers and Onduparaka in Arua.
First up is the visit to the Startimes Stadium, with Mbarara seeking to avoid defeat to a side they have not lost to in the league.
Midfielder Ivan Eyam is still out with a knee injury he suffered against Nyamityobora. Kabuye Steven and Pisitis Barenge have stepped up since then to fill his void.
Paul Mucureezi and Abdul Karim Nduggwa, who are almost certain to start at Lugogo, will lead Mbarara’s forward charge as the pair have contributed six goals between them.
In terms of the hosts, Mubiru remains without Ben Ocen and Norman Ogik. Samuel Kayongo is doubtful because of a calf problem but Basami Saafi is available after recovering from a knee injury which plagued him last season
The clubs have met just two times in their history with Mbarara boasting of the upper hand after winning and securing a draw against the Cops last season.
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