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Uganda Premier League record champions SC Villa kick start their second-round campaign of the 2020/21 season with an away trip to MYDA at the King George IV Memorial Stadium, Tororo, seeking a positive start.
The Jogoos faltered their first game in the first half of the season after they drew 2-2 with BUL at the Kyabazinga Stadium, Bugembe, but, they are hoping they get off to a better mark this time round.
Villa sits seventh on the log with 25 points after the first round, however, Edward Kaziba is confident his team is fit enough to collect maximum points against lowly side MYDA and close the gap with teams above them.
“We started training in preparation for the second round 8 days ago, we put our main emphasis on regaining fitness. Right now I can confidently say that the boys are fit and ready to play at the highest intensity possible,” Kaziba said ahead of the game.
“We are going to Tororo to collect all the 3 points. We want to start the second round on a high note,” he added.
Their opponents meanwhile, MYDA FC who picked up their first-ever Ugandan top-flight win in the last game of the first round against Kyetume away from home will hope to replicate the same performance at home on Thursday.
The Flying Eagles sit second last on the log with only 6 points collected after 15 games, 8 below the relegation line.
Despite a poor first round, MYDA head coach Abdul Samad Musafiri says he still believes his team can survive the drop.
“We are ready for tomorrow’s game and targeting maximum points from that game because every point is crucial for our survival in the league,” he said.
“I still have belief in my players that they can still perform better in the second round so that we can survive the drop,” he added.
Team News
The visitors who won the corresponding fixture 1-0 will miss the services of Ronald Ssekiganda, Benson Muhindo and Nasser Lukwago.
Ssekiganda is suspended for the game due to accumulation of yellow cards, while Muhindo and Lukwago are still out nursing injuries. However, Edward Kaziba will be bolstered by the return of Emmanuel Alex Wasswa who returns to the team having served his suspension.
For the hosts, they will be without Eric Mutebi and Moses Batali who are not fit enough for the game.
What a win could mean for both sides
A win for the Jogoos could potentially take them three places above as they would get to 28 points, one above KCCA who currently sit fourth with 27 points.
But on the other end, even if MYDA defeats Villa at home, they will still remain 15th as they are six points below Kyetume FC who occupy the last relegation place with 12 points.
