StarTimes Uganda Premier League
Nyamityobora FC vs Maroons FC
Kakyeka Stadium, Mbarara
Saturday, 20-04-2019 @4pm
MBARARA – Life in the top tier is always difficult in your debut season and Nyamityobora FC have justified that statement to perfection throughout the entire 2018/19 StarTimes Uganda Premier League season.
Currently sitting second from bottom, the Abanyakare are preparing for life in the second tier of Ugandan football (FUFA Big League) as there are no clear signs that they will be able to fend off relegation.
Their cause has not been helped by the consistent off the pitch incidents that have been bothering the side throughout the season. Currently, under their third coach in a period of fewer than 8 months, the Abanyakare have also faced several player revolts that have seen them lose key players throughout the season.
On Saturday afternoon, they will join Paidha Black Angels as the two sides so far relegated to the Big League,that is if they do not defeat Maroons FC at Kakyeka Stadium.
With a tally of 17 points, Nyamityobora are currently 11 points away from 13th spot, the first safety spot in the League and with only four games to play, not even a draw is of any sort of help to the Ben Misagga chaired side.
As they think of a possibility of three points on Saturday, Nyamityobora should be worried that they are facing a potential relegation-mate in Maroons as the Prison side can also still face the drop.
Currently, on 29 points, Maroons start the day only four points away from the relegation zone and with as many as 9 points there to be contested for by both SC Villa and Ndejje University, below them, Maroons will also be craving for the points.
This promises to be a contest for the ages, one that will have adverse effects on who features in the top tier next season.
Match Facts:
This will be only the second ever competitive meeting between Nyamityobora and Maroons.
In the first meeting which happened four months ago, Maroons defeated Nyamityobora 2-1 at the Luzira Prisons grounds.
In their last games, Nyamityobora drew 1-1 at home to URA FC while Maroons lost 2-0 away to Vipers SC.
Going into the game on Saturday, Nyamityobora have won only one of their last 10 League games (D2 L7). The sole victory in that period came in the 1-0 defeat of Onduparaka at the start of March.
At home, the Abanyakare have lost only two of their last 7 League games, winning two and drawing the other three.
For Maroons, they head into the game without a victory in their last four League games, losing twice and drawing as many.
Away from home, the Prison side have won only one of their last six fixtures (D2 L3).
Against the three sides that were promoted to the top tier at the beginning of the season, Maroons have won three, drawn one and lost one of the five games so far.
The other games on Saturday:
-KCCA FC vs Express FC
-Onduparaka FC vs Bul FC
-Tooro United vs Mbarara City FC
Friday’s results:
-Vipers SC 1-2 URA FC
-Bright Stars FC 1-1 Police FC