Uganda Marty’s High School (UMHS) Lubaga and Kampala Queens (KQ) have a chance to blow the Fufa Women Super League title race wide open this afternoon. Second-placed UMHS directly confront table-toppers She Corporate, 25 points, at home in Lubaga with an aim of closing the three-point difference.
When these sides met in the season opener over two months ago, Corporate carried the day with a 2-0 win to spell their ambitions of the season.
Persistent press
UMHS dominated the early exchanges of the encounter by suffocating Corporate’s attempt to build from the back with a persistent press. UMHS did not utilize their chances but was also missing some key players who were in the national U-20 camp preparing for a World Cup qualifier against Ghana.
A lot has changed since then. Corporate have almost abandoned the expansive game adopting a direct approach that has propelled them to the top of the league.
They always strive to quickly find their forward Favour Nambatya, Grace Nassongo, Susan Atim, and Ronah Regina Nantege with regularity and are also strong at setpieces.
On the other hand, Martyrs have grown from wastefulness to scoring 17 goals, more than any other side in the league. And have had a bevvy of match winners from Kevin Nakacwa, Catherine Nagadya, Elizabeth Nakigozi, Latifah Nakasi to Anita Namata.
They, however, must beat early week disappointment that saw them controversially disqualified from the Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) games in Gulu for fielding an ineligible player.
Odoch anxious to delay Vipers
Sentamu’s prolific nature could seal the title for Vipers against the league holders Express. Photo/ Eddie Chicco
Vipers have collected 19 victories in 25 StarTimes Uganda Premier League games. One more win will do. If
Coach Roberto Oliviera has 61 points, 14 more than second-place KCCA. The maximum KCCA can accumulate is 62. Even a draw could do as Vipers currently have a superior goal difference of +39. The 13-time league champions KCCA have +18.
In case the Vipers picked one point from their remaining five games, coach Morley Byekwaso’s side would need a 21-goal swing to overhaul them.
Not against us – Odoch
Backed by last season’s 1-0 win over the Venoms at Kitende, James Odoch’s Express are not going to attend the crowning party. “That pitch is comfortable for us to execute our plan. We are not going to let their wingers for the strikers,” Odoch said. He is dead right. The four-time champion has thrived with the crossing of Disan Galiwango and Milton Karisa.
From that, Cesar Manzoki and Yunus Sentamu have plundered a combined 27 goals, a tally that betters six teams in the division. “We will try to make them wait a little bit longer,” Odoch, who will miss skipper Enoch Walusimbi through suspension, added.
Express, which drew 2-2 with Vipers in the reverse fixture, sit sixth on the table with 42 points from 26 matches.
After today’s tie, the Vipers have to play Onduparaka, Wakiso Giants, SC Villa and Police before they wrap up the season.
There are also into the Stanbic Uganda Cup semi-finals.
Personal glory
To Vipers forward Paul Mucureezi who won two league trophies with KCCA, the new phenomena at Kitende are one to cherish. “Most of the players have personal goals inside the bigger picture of winning with Vipers,” Mucureezi said.
“I want to become one of the most decorated players in Ugandan football if I win my third title tomorrow.”
Head to head- Last 6 matches
30/10/21: Express 2-2 Vipers
23/04/21: Vipers 0-1 Express
09/02/21: Express 1-1 Vipers
12/10/19: Vipers 3-0 Express
01/03/19: Vipers 2-0 Express
07/11/18: Express 1-1 Vipers.24
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