
Uganda Premier League
Police FC vs Mbarara City
Mandela National Stadium, Namboole
Saturday, 07-09-2019 @4:30pm
Police FC have endured a troubled start to the 2019/20 season.
The Cops who had an average campaign last, are sitting bottom of the pile with negative three points and are currently the bookmakers’ favourites for the drop.
They failed to honour their match-day clash away to Onduparaka and despite writing to confirm that they would be away for Military Games in Kenya, FUFA deemed their letter null and void.
After returning last weekend, they lost 2-0 at home to Bul to further compound their misery.
As if that is not enough, they will be without head coach Abdallah Mubiru for the visit of Mbarara City on Saturday as the gaffer is currently away with the national team. Mubiru is the interim head coach of the Uganda Cranes and will be at the helm as they take on Kenya in an international friendly.
Assistant coach John Luyinda will deputize for Mubiru in Saturday’s game and will be tasked to lead the side to their first point(s) of the season.
However, that will be no easy task as they take on a wounded Mbarara City side who are also looking for points.
After a resounding 3-0 victory over Maroons in their opening game, Mbarara lost 3-1 to SC Villa on Wednesday night.
That leaves the team and their coach Brian Ssenyondo under pressure to deliver on Saturday.
Team News
Police have been boosted by the return of striker Hood Kawesa who re-signed with the Cops ealier this week after a fruitless one year in Zambia. If he secures a license to play the game, Kawesa will be looked at for inspiration. Ruben Kimera who started on the bench in the loss to Bul, is expected to start on Saturday.
For Mbarara City, they will bank on Paul Mucureezi to spur them on alongside Jude Ssemugabi and Brian Ahebwa. Ronald Otti who gifted SC Villa the opening goal on Wednesday is expected to drop to the bench.
Match Facts
This will be the 5th meeting between the two sides since Mbarara City made their latest return to the top tier in 2017.
In the previous four match-ups, Mbarara City have won two, Police one and the other ended in a draw.
Police’s only victory in that period came in the reverse fixture last season with the Cops winning 3-1.
Mbarara are yet to register victory away to Police, losing once and drawing the other.
The other games on Saturday
-Express FC vs Onduparaka FC @3pm
-Proline FC vs SC Villa @4pm
-Busoga United vs Bright Stars @4:30pm
Friday’s results
-Wakiso Giants 1-0 Tooro United
-URA FC 0-0 Kyetume FC