Abdallah Mubiru’s Police FC and Sam Ssimbwa’s URA FC meet today at the Star Times Stadium Lugogo in a classic teacher vs apprentice show down. Elsewhere, Ndejje University will look to get their survival hopes back on track when Onduparaka visit the Arena of Visions.
Police FC coach Mubiru is one of the best new crop of coaches in the Uganda Premier League while Ssimbwa has been there, done that and the two are good friends. But all that will account for nothing as their teams take to the turf.
Ssimbwa ushered Mubiru into coaching as he took him on as his assistant / player coach at Military Police FC before the latter hung up his boots. It would right to say Mubiru reserves nothing but respect for his counterpart.
“Ssimbwa is one of, if not the best coach in Uganda at the moment and that is evident in the way he has helped turn around URA’s resources this season from where they finished last season,” Mubiru told Watchdog Uganda.
URA are third in the 16 team table.
The game itself may be a dead rubber with both teams safe and comfortable but there is pride at stake and unaccomplished season objectives. The Cops lie 10th on the log and will need a win to climb back to eighth while URA will need to close the gap on second placed Vipers who visit Paidha Black Angels in Zombo.
Despite both coaches being close friends, they subscribe to different schools of thoughts regards football with Mubiru preferring possession based short passes and fast transition while Ssimbwa is the epitome of defensive organisation.
The Cops have been the most entertaining team in the league this season with their brand of football and that is evident as they are the second highest scoring team in the division with league top scorer Juma Balinnya also in their ranks as well.
But their resolve will be measured against their visitors who themselves boast of the best defensive record in the league, conceding just 13 goals and have kept a league high 15 clean-sheets. The tax collectors are also still unbeaten on the road thus far.
Top scorer Balinnya will be on the hunt for his 20th goal of the league for Police and will have Basani Saafi upfront for company with Ronald Nyanzi and Kasozi still out. Ivan Bukenya limped off against Vipers and may not feature while left back Arafat Galiwango is back.
URA do not have any serious injury concerns with Shafik Kagimu, Saidi Kyeyune, goaljeeper James Alitho and youngster Joachim Ojera all available while Vitalis Tabu recently returning to the squad.
Police recorded their first clean sheet in the league against URA in the goalless draw at Namboole in the first leg but overall the cops have not won against the tax collectors in the league since 2014.
Elsewhere, Ndejje University will need nothing less than three points if they are to still have a chance of surviving relegation when Onduparaka visit The Arena of Visions in Bombo.
KCCA have already sealed their league triumph but, head coach Mike Mutebi has tasked his charges to go for nothing less than a win when his team visit already relegated Nyamityobora at the Kakyeeka stadium in Mbarara. Express host Bright stars at the Betway Muteesa II stadium Wankulukuku while Vipers visit Paidha Black Angels at the Bar Okoro stadium in Zombo.
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