Shafic Kiyaga
Onduparaka striker Ceaser Okhuti believes the Friday afternoon mouthwatering encounter between Uganda Revenue Authority and the Caterpillars will be a test for his team.
Unbeaten URA host third placed Onduparaka FC at the Mandela National Stadium.
The Tax Collectors, eighth on the log, are one of the two teams yet to lose this season – the other being KCCA – but have looked off pace and unconvincing, winning just three of their 11 fixtures so far and just once in the last eight games.
Okhuti, who has scored thrice in the last four games for the Arua-based side said it will be a test great test especially for the strikers.
“We have done our homework on URA FC and hopefully we will have a good game,” Okhuti, who bemoaned lack of a Christmas break said. “Much as we have not seen our families this Christmas season, we have observed togetherness as players since it’s our job. I think it is very important for us to keep winning away from home.”
The Caterpillars head into the match in buoyant form winning four of the last five games in the league and also getting one over Busia Young Stars in the Uganda Cup. Their hosts on the other hand have scored just four goals in eight games.
Onduparaka head coach Simeone Masaba, who played for URA for 10 years, relishes the chance to face his former team.
“This is another different tournament from our last game and we are playing URA FC away from home. It will be a bit difficult but we are going to put up a fight. We need to keep the possession upfront and put up a good defense to make sure we score goals and avoid conceding,” he told Watchdog.
Midfielder Gadaffi Gadinho will not feature as well as former URA FC player Oscar Agaba who picked up a knock during training on Wednesday. But captain Toha Rashid and Abel Eturude will be available after missing the trip to Busia in the Uganda Cup.
URA and Sam Ssimbwa have little to worry about with only long term absentee Odong still out injured. The game also presents another chance for Vitalis Tabu to get back to his best form as he has recently been shooting blanks.
This will be the fifth fixture between the two teams. Both teams have won one game apiece with the other two ending in stalemates. The last time Onduparaka played at Mandela national stadium, they ran away 5-0 victors over Police FC.
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