David GOMBE
It’s been talked about as being the Uganda Premier League ‘final’ and while Vipers SC home clash with KCCA FC on Friday night at Kitende decides nothing, it will certainly be pivotal.
The Venoms closed the gap on leaders SC Villa with a 2-0 win over Gaddafi on Tuesday evening.
KCCA FC on the other hand travel to Kitende after a 2-2 draw with relegation threatened Onduparaka.
Both sides are separated with 3 points but the Kasasiro boys have played a game more than Vipers.
Victory for Vipers will see them leapfrog KCCA in second place due to goal difference while the 13 time Uganda Premier league champions will move top of the log with a win at Kitende.
KCCA won the reverse fixture at Lugogo thanks to a Rogers Mato sole goal.
What the coaches say
Alex Isabirye expects his charges to prevail to maximum points
“If we get our best performance, I think we can do it. It will be a special match at St.Mary’s Stadium with our supporters.”
The atmosphere for the Gaddafi game was superb, we were aggressive and on the front foot, so we need all those ingredients again to get the win we need.”
“We have a lot of talent and a lot of ability. I believe we’ll get there, and we’re certainly working every minute to get to those consistent levels.” Isabirye told the club website
His counterpart Jackson Mayanja who is unbeaten since taking over at KCCA asserts that they are going to Kitende to play a game of their lives
“We are going there to play a game of our lives. We have no option but to go and play for a win if we are to keep our title hopes high. We have to show that we want it more than them. The title challenge is still open. The players have been prepared well, this is a great club and the players must show that they deserve to play for this club. We have to go all out and attack them and we get goals.”
Mayanja will be facing his former paymasters whom he managed as Bunamwaya.
Team News
Vipers SC
Karim Ndugwa who missed the game against Gaddafi returns while the game comes too early for Yunus Sentamu, Murushid Juuko and Alfred Mudekereza.
KCCA FC
Rogers Mato returns while Brian Aheebwa will have to face a late fitness test.
Facts
KCCA have never won at Kitende and in the last six meetings, Vipers have three wins with three games ending in spoils.
KCCA and Vipers will be meeting for the 36th time in the league history, and the Venoms have an edge over their day’s opponents
Last 6 league meetings at Kitende
2016/17: Vipers 2-1 KCCA
2017/18: Vipers 3-2 KCCA
2018/19: Vipers 1-1 KCCA
2019/20: Vipers 0-0 KCCA
2020/21: Vipers 1-0 KCCA
2021/22: Vipers 2-2 KCCA
Head to Head
Vipers wins: 14
KCCA FC Wins: 12
Draws: 9