By Samuel Opio
StarTimes Uganda Premier League
Onduparaka FC vs KCCA FC
Green Light Stadium, Arua
Friday, 19-10-2018 @04:00pm
Onduparak FC will be hoping to continue their impressive home run against KCCA FC when the two sides face off on Friday afternoon.
The Caterpillars have never lost to KCCA at home since they gained promotion in 2016 and after starting the league on a high (W2 D0 L0), Asaph Mwebaze’s side will be hoping to continue frustrating the Kasasiro Boys in Arua.
For KCCA, despite not losing any of their first two games, the Kasasiro Boys drew 0-0 at home to Kirinya on match day two, something they will be hoping to put right on Friday.
“It has not been a happy hunting ground for us whenever we go to Arua, said KCCA FC head coach Mike Mutebi in the pre-match press conference.
“Yes we have the capacity to go and win the game but we come up against a very good side that is gunning for the title, like their coach said at the start of the season”
“They have made good acquisitions so they are a side we should be worried about,” He added
Team News:
Onduparaka will have striker Ceaser Okhuti return to the team after serving a two match ban carried from last season. With Okhuti back, the Caterpillars now have a full strength squad headed into Friday’s game.
For KCCA FC, summer signing Nicholas Kasozi is expected to make his competitive debut after overcoming fitness issues. However, they are without long term absentees Gift Ali, Bernard Muwanga and Peter Magambo. Julius Poloto who sustained an injury in their 0-0 draw at home to Kirinya is also still out.
KCCA FC have a host of players returning from National team duty including Captain Timothy Awanyi, Saddam Juma, Charles Lukwogo, Patrick Kaddu and Allan Kyambadde but it remains to be seen whether they will all feature on Friday.
Match Facts:
Onduparaka FC start the day in 2nd position on the log with six points from two games while KCCA are seventh with four points.
This will be the fifth meeting between the two sides in the top flight. In the first four games, KCCA has won two, drawn one and lost the other.
However, Mike Mutebi’s charges have never won a game in Arua, losing one and drawing the other.
There have been 17 goals scored between these two sides in the four meetings, more than any other fixture in the league during that period.
The reverse fixture last season ended 1-1 with KCCA taking the lead through Shaban Muhammad and Ceaser Ochuti equalizing for the home side.
Onduparaka are currently on a three game winning run in the league, scoring five goals and conceding none.
For KCCA, they have not lost any of their last seven league fixtures (W5 D2).
At home, the Caterpillars have lost only one league fixture since they joined the top flight in 2016 (W16 D14).
For KCCA, they have won only four of their last 12 league away games (D5 L3).
The other league game on Friday:
-URA FC vs Ndejje University, Mandela National Stadium-Namboole @04:30pm
