Super Wednesday in UPL title race

After 1,627 days, a new-look Namboole Stadium will host  two the Startimes Uganda Premier League title defining ties today - Bul vs. Vipers and KCCA vs.SC Villa - much to the delight of an expectant football nation.

From video clips and photos circulating on social media, Namboole, it seems, finally has a pitch worthy of the home of football, seats for everyone and trendy dressing rooms.

For the neutrals, returning to a glittering Namboole since November 17, 2019 to catch the league fiesta will be worth spending the Labour Day - and the highly billed football fanfare on a public holiday may be achieved.

Table leaders Kitara have sent a crystal clear message to their  title rivals Vipers, Bul and SC Villa - catch us if you can.

Put succinctly, this a moment of reckoning in a fiercely contested for title race, with Vipers in second with 46 points from 24 matches 'visiting'  third-placed Bul with whom they are tied on points.

That will be just three hours before Abdallah Mubiru's KCCA, sixth in the log with 39 points from 24 matches, seek to extinguish nemesis SC Villa's title hopes in an ageless duel under the floodlights.

Dusan Stojanovic's Jogoos, with 45 points from 24 matches, had to dig deep to edge Gaddafi 1-0 in their last outing and will bank on gifted playmaker Patrick Kakande who netted the winner for salvation against KCCA.

The Serb's other tasks will be aligning SC Villa's ever changing defensive backline to tame KCCA protagonist Muhammad Shaban who leads the golden boot race with 15 strikes. 

They could also resharpen his other forwards Charles Lwanga, Hakim Kiwanuka and Umar Lutalo to rise up to the occasion.

In a season characterised by its unpredictability, the presence of game-in-hand fixtures has emerged as a crucial factor in the crucial final bend - which points to more twist and turns even after today's contests.

Vipers vengeance mission

A lot of water has gone under the bridge since Bul stunned Vipers 3-2 at their back on December 22 last year - most notably, the  axing of two coaches Leonard Neiva and Livingstone Mbabazi.

The desire to avenge that loss remains steadfast for Richard Wasswa's Venoms that are reeling off a 1-all draw with Maroons at home and want to reestablish their league dominion. 

To break down Bul's steely backline of Tom Ikara, Nicholas Mwere, Ronald Otti, Walter Ochora and Hillary Onek, the Vipers' attacking quartet of Allan Okello, Eric Kambale, Yunus Sentamu and Milton Karisa might have to fire on all cylinders.

Yet, Abbey Kikomeko can also unleash an attacking trio led by  ten-goal hero Alex Kitata, Reagan Kalyowa and Martin Aprem to probe the Vipers' suspect defence that keeps rotating with new faces in each game.

The unpredictable  highly-anticipated clash promises to live up to the hype and holders Vipers must make the neutral venue leverage count if they are to retain the trophy.

At the moment, Kitara seems to own a crucial advantage with the most favourable remaining fixtures among title contenders but there are still many pointers to a nail-biting season conclusion never witnessed before. 

StarTimes Uganda Premier League

Wednesday fixtures at Namboole 

Bul vs. Vipers, 4pm  

KCCA vs. SC Villa, 7pm
 
Both games live on Fufa TV

Bul vs. Vipers: last five meetings
22/12/23: Vipers 2-3 Bul
23/05/23: Bul 1-1 Vipers
17/12/22: Vipers 2-1 Bul
12/06/22: Vipers 1-3 Bul
09/02/22: Bul 1-3 Vipers

KCCA vs. SC Villa: last five meetings
22/12/23: SC Villa 1-2 KCCA
23/04/23: KCCA 4-1 SC Villa
25/11/22: SC Villa 0-3 KCCA
12/03/22: KCCA 0-0 SC Villa
18/12/21: SC Villa 1-1 KCCA