By James Robert Kayindi
Defending champions Vipers SC host title contenders Kampala Capital City Authority Football Club (KCCA FC) today in the Azam Uganda Premier League (AUPL). The match comes at a time when KCCA and Vipers are tied on 10 points at the top of the log from four matches with only goal difference separating the two sides.
The assistant coach of the Kasasiro Boys, ‘Omulangila’ Sam Ssimbwa sees a win for his side written all over this fixture ahead of their trip to Buikwe after saying that “it’s a sure deal KCCA will win” before revealing that he has done enough homework to frustrate their key players; Farouk Miya, Keziron Kizito, John Ssemazzi and Erisa Ssekisambu.
Ssimbwa further said that Vipers wouldn’t have even won last season’s title if Villa hadn’t relived him of his duties before the season climaxed.
He said, “in over five years, I have never lost to Vipers and a good performance over them in 2012 gave me the league title while still Express FC Coach. I again drew with them last season while still at SC Villa before I left midway the campaign. I can guarantee you that had I remained Villa coach, that 2-0 victory at Nakivubo that virtually gave Vipers the title wouldn’t have happened.”
On the other hand, it seems to be terrible timing for Richard Wasswa and Edward Golola’s side after FUFA provisionally withdrew licences from four of their starter players for failure to show up when summoned for national duty during the Cranes’ trip to Masindi over the weekend. The players are; Deus Bukenya, Ismail Watenga, James Alitho and Kizito Keziron.
However, Golola seems ready for the challenge having promised to school someone after their 2-1 win over SC Victoria University on Tuesday last week.
“After getting three points away from home, my team is now in shape to teach someone a lesson they will live to forget,” he said.
Their two meetings last season ended in a 2-2 draw at Buikwe with Mike Mutyaba notching a brace for the hosts while Brian Majwega and Brian Omony netted for the visitors before Vipers edged KCCA 2-0 at the Phillip Omondi stadium, Lugogo during Abdallah Mubiru’s reign.
However, all goal scorers from their first leg clash have since moved on with Mutyaba joining rivals Express fc while Majwega snubbed a loan return to KCCA from Tanzanian side Azam fc. Omony moved to join St. George in Ethiopia.
Email Robert: Robert.k.circles@gmail.com