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The StarTimes Uganda Premier League match day 16 will climax on Thursday evening with three games.
The Kampala Derby will headline the day’s action as Express will host KCCA in Wakulukuku while the other VEK team, SC Villa will be in Jinja to play Busoga United. The other game will see relegation-placed Mbarara City host URA FC again at Kakyeka after their Stanbic Uganda Cup encounter last weekend.
Here is our rundown of all the action that awaits us in the Uganda Premier League on Thursday.
EXPRESS FC Vs KCCA FC
The Red Eagles play their second game under James Odoch at the Betway Muteesa II Stadium in Wankulukuku as they host wounded Kasasiro boys.
The Red Eagles sit sixth on the log with 29 points while 10 points above sits KCCA who are second on the log.
KCCA head into this game desperate for a victory, having been eliminated from the Stanbic Uganda Cup by Bright Stars at the round of 32.
Express didn’t feature in the Stanbic Uganda Cup round of 32 after their game with Super Eagles/SC Villa was postponed.
In a few words about the game, Odoch told Express media “ We have used this period to correct our mistakes which we had in our last game away against Busoga United FC. KCCA FC are comfortable on the ball so we’ve worked more on the pressing because KCCA FC are good with the ball so i believe we’re ready to get maximum points”
Last result
Express FC suffered a 1-0 loss to Busoga United at the Kakindu Stadium, Jinja. It was their fourth consecutive game without a win since they beat Tooro United before the league broke off in December.
KCCA FC however, defeated Onduparaka FC 3-1 in their last match.
Head-to-head
2021/2022
- KCCA 0-0 Express
2020/2021
- Express 1-1 KCCA
2019/2020
- KCCA 1-1 Express
- Express 1-3 KCCA
2018/2019
- KCCA 3-1 Express
- Express 3-2 KCCA
2017/2018
- Express 1-2 KCCA
- KCCA 1-0 Express
2016/2017
- Express 0-1 KCCA
- KCCA 3-1 Express
2015/2016
- Express 1-1 KCCA
- KCCA 1-1 Express
2014/2015
- KCCA 0-3 Express
- Express 0-0 Express
2013/2014
- KCCA 2-3 Express
- Express 1-1 KCCA
2012/2013
- KCCA 5-0 Express
- Express 1-1 KCCA
What This Could Mean:
A win for the Kasasiro boys would take them to 42 points, a point behind League leaders Vipers SC while A win for Express could see them close the gap on BUL FC with a mission to get into the top 4.
Team News
Midfielder Ivan Mayanja will miss out for Express after failing to recover from a cut on this heel, but Arthur Kiggundu is back to full fitness and is available for selection just like Enock Walusimbi who is also back in contention after touring Spain with team fundi. Striker Erick Kambale returns ready to pick up from where he stopped.
KCCA will be boasted by the return of Dennis Iguma who has been out for the last couple of days with an injury, while also Forwards Sadat Anaku and Kaddu Patrick are back from injuries and will make the travelling squad to Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku for the derby.
But Ashraf Mugume is doubtful for the game having suffered a knock in the Uganda Cup loss
KCCA will be without
Yassar Mugerwa, Brian Majwega, Peter Mugambo, Geoffrey Wasswa, Emmanuel Wasswa and Brian Kayanja who are all sidelined.
MBARARA CITY VS URA FC
The Ankole lions host the tax collectors at Kakyeka stadium, Mbarara seeking to shift away from the relegation zone of the table.
The Visitors, URA FC, sit 3rd on the log with 34 points, nine below Leaders Vipers SC.
URA won the reverse fixture 2-0 at the Arena of Visions in Ndejje.
Last Result
URA FC secured a comfortable 5-0 win over Wakiso Giants FC courtesy of a Vianne Ssekajugo haul at Kabaka Kyabaggu stadium in Wakiso.
Mbarara City meanwhile, suffered a 1-0 loss at home to Gaddafi FC and have now suffered in 10 of their 18 games this season.
Head To Head
2021/2022
- URA FC 2-0 Mbarara City
2020/2021
- URA FC 2-0 Mbarara City
- Mbarara City 1-1 URA
2019/2020
- URA 0-0 Mbarara City
- Mbarara City 1-1 URA
2018/2019
- URA 0-0 Mbarara
- Mbarara 1-1 URA
2017/2018
- Mbarara 1-1 URA
- URA 1-1 Mbarara
Team News
Derrick Ndahiro returns to URA after his engagement in Spain while this game might come too soon for Cromwell Rwothomio.
Najib Fesali will require a late fitness test to feature in this game in Mbarara.
For Mbarara, they will still be without Ramathan Karim who is sidelined with a knee injury while Solomon Okwalinga was out of the game due to a suspension after seeing red in their last league game.
What this could mean
The hosts, Mbarara City are desperate to get back to winning ways this season in the league and a win today takes them out of the relegation zone to 11th if other results go in their favour , while a draw doesn’t take them above Busoga United.
For URA FC, a win will see them move with two points off second placed side KCCA FC ( if the Kasasiro Boys lose in Wakulukuku). They will also be six points below Leaders Vipers SC.
SC Villa Vs Busoga United
This game is going to take place at the FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru as rejunvated Busoga United takes on Petros Koukouras ’s SC Villa.
Although SC Villa lie 11th, a place above Busoga United on the Log, their state is more worrying since they haven’t won a game in their last 6 league outings.
On the otherhand, Busoga United FC have two wins and two losses in the last four games, the results that has seen them move from the relegation zone upto the 13th position on the log.
Last Result
SC Villa traveled to Fort Portal and played out to a one-all stalemate with the Tooro United FC, their seventh draw this season.
For Busoga United FC, they returned to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over Express FC at the Kakindu Stadium, Jinja.
The Eastern men have 3 wins ,two losses and one draw in their previous six games .
Head To Head
2021/2022
Busoga United 0-1 SC Villa
2019/2020
- SC Villa 0-1 Busoga United
- Busoga United 1-1 SC Villa
2018/2019
- SC Villa 1-2 Busoga United
- Busoga United 2-2 SC Villa
2017/2018
- SC Villa 2-0 Busoga United
- Busoga United 1-1 SC Villa
2016/2017
- Busoga United 1-0 SC Villa
- SC Villa 2-0 Busoga United
What This Could Mean:
The hosts, SC Villa, are desperate for a victory as a victory over Busoga United takes them level on points with Police FC (who defeated Tooro United in Lugogo)
With Busoga United, having returned to winning ways against Express, the team from Jinja will target maximum points with hope to move above SC Villa and extend far away from the red zone.
Busoga currently has 17 points in 18 games while SC Villa are on 18 in 18 games.
Team News
SC Villa will welcome back Nicholas Kabonge from his Team FUNDI engagement in Spain while also Kenneth Ssemakula is also expected to be back to the squad.
Ronald Ssekiganda, Isma Mugulusi and Charles Bbale are still sidelined
Sadam Juma is also recovering from an arm injury he got during the accident.
Anwar Ntege who has scored six goals returns for Busoga United after missing the derby against BUL.
