Uganda Premier League leaders KCCA return to action on Wednesday with a trip to Jinja to face resilient Kirinya Jinja SS at the Mighty Arena in a game he has labeled a must win for his side.
Both sides have had more than 20 days off since their last league games. KCCA played to a 1-1 draw away to Tooro United while Kirinya picked up their fourth away victory beating SC Villa 2-1 at Namboole.
The Kasasiro boys had the chance of opening the gap to six points after second placed Vipers surprisingly lost to minnows Ndejje University. The draw however meant that the gap remains just four points.
Manager Mike Mutebi has said they have to win at all costs especially ‘against teams like Kirinya’ if they are to win the league as he has seen his team fail to win in three of their last four games.
“We have been training well this past week and we have to win against them even though they are a tough and resilient team at home. We have what it takes to get all three points,” asserted Mutebi.
The Kasasiro Boys boast one of the best away forms and are unbeaten in their last six games since the 3-2 loss to Express FC. One positive for opponents Kirinya to hold on to, however, is KCCA have failed to win in the last four away league games.
Mutebi’s side have the best offensive record in the division, scoring nine more than the next best Police. Recently, however, they have been lacking in front of goal. The international break may have come at the perfect time for the leaders, but they now need to hit the ground running as any sort of slip-up will allow Vipers to pounce.
Abbey Bogere Kikomeko, who replaced Ayiekoh Charles on interim basis at Kirinya has surely done himself good for consideration on a full time basis.
The Students have lost just two in eight games since Kikomeko stepped in, a significant improvement from two wins from Ayiekoh’s final eight games in charge.
Having won three games on the bounce for the first time this season, Kirinya seem to have overcome the scare of being involved in the relegation fight as they sit comfortably in eighth. But the coach is not resting already as he has his sights on a top four finish.
“We have played eight games so far and have managed to pick up a number of points but we are neither safe nor where we want to be because the gap between us and the fourth placed team is four points and it’s the same with the 12 placed team so we have to keep working,” said Kikomeko.
Mutebi confirmed that Julius Poloto is the only injury absentee, but welcomes back Captain Timothy Awany and Allan Okello. He will have to assess the other players returning from national duty before making a decision if they can take part in the game.
It was a goalless draw when the two met earlier, but Kirinya are yet to a win against KCCA losing thrice and drawing two games of the five league meetings.
Pressure should be on KCCA but they have passed nearly every test so far this term, and this one should be no different.
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