Pilsner Super 8 2019
Proline FC vs Vipers SC
StarTimes Stadium, Lugogo
Wednesday, 31-07-2019
LUGOGO – Proline FC and Vipers SC will clash in the opening game of the 2019 Plisner Super 8 at the StarTimes Stadium in Lugogo on Wednesday afternoon.
Proline are taking part in the competition as one of the two newly promoted sides and are hoping to use the competition as they continue preparations for their upcoming continental engagements.
Shafick Bisaso’s side won the 2018/19 Uganda Cup crown and automatically qualified to participate in the CAF Confederations cup where they will take on Malawi’s Masters Security on the 10th of August.
Despite the fact that they won the cup last season, they head into Wednesday’s fixture as overwhelming underdogs. Proline are only making their return to the top tier after spending last season in the FUFA Big League, one they eventually won.
For Vipers, the Pilsner Super 8 is a chance to win another title.
The Venoms endured a disappointing season, last, and will be eager to set the record straight with a good run in the pre-season tournament.
Last season, they finished second behind KCCA FC in the league, lost to Proline in the quarter finals of the Uganda Cup and exited both the CAF Champions League and Confederations Cup in their early stages.
They have already made four major signings in Rashid Toha, Allan Kayiwa, Pual Willa and Siraje Ssentamu, in a move to strengthen thier ranks.
Coming up against Proline, they know that nothing but a victory will be welcomed and they will enter into the game with the pressure cooker weighing heavily on their side.
What they are saying ahead of the game
Shafick Bisaso, Proline FC
“We are happy that we have another title in front of us to try and win.
“We won the double last season but that is now behind so we have to concentrate on what is ahead of us.
“Vipers SC is one of the best sides in the country in the last few years and with the Confederations cup just around the corner, what better way to test our progress.
“It is going to be a very difficult game but we believe we can once again pull off another shock against them.
Edward Golola, Vipers SC
“Our season is starting on Wednesday and we are very much looking forward to the game against Proline.
“They beat us last season in the Uganda cup and it is something that we want to put right.
Team News
Proline is expected to hand several of their new signings debuts on Wednesday including former Venom, Hamis Diego Kiiza, Kiiza spent the second half of last season at Vipers SC before he was let go of in June.
For Vipers, goalkeeper Bashir Ssekagya who missed most of last season through injury returns. Tom Masiko, Allan Kayiwa and Paul Willa are on national duty with the Uganda Cranes and won’t be considered for this game. New signings, Rashid Toha and Denis Mwemezi are also doubtful while Henry Kitegenyi may make his debut for the Venoms since joining from Kansai Plascon FC last month. Frank ‘Zaga’ Tumwesigye is back from loan at Express and is available for selection as well as newly promoted youngsters Ahmed Amayo and Karim Watambara from our feeder St Mary’s Kitende.
Match Stats
This will be the 9th meeting between the two sides since April 2013.
In the previous 8 match-ups, Vipers have won 5, Proline 2 with the other ending in a 2-2 draw.
The two sides met in the Uganda Cup last season with Bisaso’s side winning the game 2-1 in extra-time.
Heading into the game, the Venoms have won two of their four games away to Proline, drawing one and losing the other.
Golola’s side have never failed to score away to Proline, netting 9 times in the four fixtures.
The other Pilsner Super 8 fixtures
-August 2: Mbarara City Vs URA FC
-August 4: Onduparaka Vs Tooro United
-August 6: Proline FC Vs Vipers
