Uganda Premier League
Maroons FC vs Vipers SC
Luzira Prisons Stadium, Luzira
Friday, 22-11-2019
LUZIRA – Vipers SC will be hoping to return to winning ways when they take on Maroons at the Luzira Prison Grounds on Friday afternoon.
The Venoms were on a stroll since the league started until they face KCCA FC last Saturday.
In the game at Lugogo, the Venoms struggled, registering their first of only two shots on target, in the 68th minute.
Losing to KCCA FC was not an ideal scenario for Edward Golola’s side especially due to the fact that the Venoms and Kasasiros are expected to tussle it out once again for the league crown.
However, after KCCA drew 1-1 in their next fixture on Wednesday, Vipers can breathe a sai of relief.
What they are saying after the game as quoted via Vipers’ official website
Edward Golola, Vipers SC head Coach
“We put the past game (vs KCCA FC) behind us and have set a new target coming into this one.
“We want to play well and collect maximum points and with the return of some players we hope they will inspire the team and rally us back to winning ways.”
Halid Lwaliwa, Vipers SC captain
“Maroons is one of the stubborn sides in the league, we respect them but we also have our mission which we must fulfill.
“We come into this game hungry and charged, we want to collect maximum points.”
Ahead of Friday’s game, Vipers SC will be boosted by the return of striker Fahad Bayo and captain Halid Lwaliwa after the duo missed the last two league fixtures against URA FC and KCCA FC due to national team duties. Teenagers Bobosi Byaruhanga and Karim Watambala remain unavailable as they are yet to complete their Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) examinations at St Mary’s Boarding Secondary School. Goalkeeper Derrick Ochan is ruled out due to a bout of fever that has kept him from training the whole of this week thus Fabien Mutombora will keep his position in goal deputized by Vipers U-17 keeper Eric Kaweesi. Allan Kayiwa and Ibrahim Tembo picked knocks in Wednesday’s training session thus will be subjected to late fitness tests to determine whether they will be part of the squad.
For Maroons, they will have to do without league top scorer Steven Mukwala. Mukwala who has scored 10 goals so far this campaign is ineligible to feature against Vipers SC as he is on loan from the Venoms. His absence is a big blow for Douglas Bamweyana’s side who will now have to rely on Fred Amaku for the goals on Friday.
The Prison side has won over neutrals this campaign with their possession-based attacking brand of football.
They currently sit 7th on the log with 19 points from 14 games having won five, drawn four and lost five so far this season.
Victory over Vipers will see Maroons climb into 6th on the table as they start the day only a point behind Wakiso Giants.
Match Facts
This will be the 11th meeting between the two sides since January 2011.
In the past 10 meetings, Vipers have not lost to Maroons, winning seven and drawing the other three.
The Venoms have also been performing well in their last three visits to Maroons as they have won twice and drawn the other.
Last season, Vipers defeated Maroons home and away including a 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture.
Maroons come into the game having won just one of their last six encounters (D3 L2).
At home, Bamweyana’s side has won only one of their last five fixtures (D2 L2).
For Vipers, they enter into the contest having lost only one of their 14 games so far this campaign (W10 D3).
Away from home, they have also lost one in their first seven (W4 D2).
The other game on Friday
-Police FC vs Proline FC @4:30pm
