Uganda Premier League
Tooro United FC vs Onduparaka FC
St. Paul National Seminary Grounds, Fortportal
Tuesday, 07-01-2019 @4:30pm
FORT PORTAL – The problems at Tooro United FC do not look like they will be ending any time soon.
A few weeks ago, the media did learn that the team had been bought by a new owner after Godfrey Galabuzi succumbed to the pressure and sold off his rights.
However, the situation seems to have deteriorated further, ahead of their first second-round game.
As they prepare to host Onduparaka FC at the St. Paul National Seminary Grounds in Fortportal, they will be without up to 13 of their senior players.
Madhi Kibirige, Chrispas Kusima, Isa Lumu, Arthur Kiggundu, Musa Mukasa, Frederick Kigozi, Derrick Tekkwo, Godfrey Lwesibawa, Yafesi Mubiru, Mike Kawoya, John Ssemazzi, Steven Omvia and Steven Luswata have all refused to travel for the game as they demand for unpaid wages.
It is understood that the new management led by Alice Namatovu promised to pay their 3-months salary arrears by January 3rd, 2019, something that was not fulfilled.
This prompted the senior players to refuse to play the game and hence did not travel to Fort Portal where the team hosts its games.
It is a serious issue but one that current head coach Eric Ndifuna hopes does not affect their game on Tuesday.
“We will be without several senior players for the game against Onduparaka, noted Ndifuna.
“The team has issues concerning unpaid wages so most players did not travel.
“However, we have a team that will play on Tuesday and hopefully the situation does not affect our game.”
With the 13 absent, Tooro remains with only John Byamukama, Charles Musige, Willy Kavuma, Davis Ssali and Denis Mugerwa as the senior players available for selection.
It will be an uphill task for the team to get anything out of the game especially as they come up against an Onduparaka side that will also be gunning for all three points.
The Caterpillars too have had to endure a disturbing break as Livingstone Mbabazi threw in the towel and left his role as head coach.
It is also believed that Sadiq Sempiji who was supposed to take over from Mbabazi, has joined Mbarara City FC as part of the Ankole Lions’ technical team.
After a decent start to the season, Onduparaka lost both of their last two first round games and they will hoping for victory in the game on Tuesday.
Match Facts
This will be the 9th meeting between the two sides since 2016.
In the first 8 meetings, either side won three games with the other two ending in draws.
When they met in this season’s first round, Onduparaka defeated Tooro United 3-0 at the Green Light Stadium in Arua.
Onduparaka have only ever defeated Tooro United FC once away from home, losing two and drawing the other of those four matches.
Tooro United comes into the game having lost three and drawn once in their last four League games.
At home, they have already lost four of their games this season (W3 D1).
For Onduparaka, they also head into the game in reasonably poor form as they have won just one of their previous five games (D1 L3).
Away from home, the Caterpillars have lost all their last three games, conceding seven goals whilst scoring just one.
The other game on Tuesday
-URA FC vs SC Villa @4pm
