Coach Basena has decided to take his charges to the jungles in Luwero as they prepare for the Zambians’ challenge

CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Friday 12, Namboole, 4pm
URA v Zanaco

ZANACO FC arrive tonight with a contingent of 25 for Friday’s Orange CAF Champions League preliminary round first leg clash against URA at Namboole, writes Swalley Kenyi.

The two sides will meet in the return leg at Sunset Stadium in Lusaka February 27 and the winner on aggregate will advance to the first-round against Cote d’Ivoire’s ASEC Mimosa next month.

Although the visitors have kept the arrival details of their 18 players and seven officials secret, information at FUFA indicates that the Zambians will touch down at Entebbe airport at 7.10pm before heading to Hotel Sojovalo in Kampala.

It will be the second time in about three years that URA takes on a Zambian side in the competition, after they fell to ZESCO United in the 2008 edition.

URA has offered free entrance for Friday’s match for students and women in a bid to attract a big crowd to cheer the team.

Coach Moses Basena is optimistic his new signings Augustine Nsumba and Jimmy Kidega will be fully fit for the encounter.

Basena was forced to substitute the pair during URA’s Uganda Super League match against Simba over the weekend. They looked exhausted in the final 20 minutes of the goalless draw.

“They are regaining their fitness. They have not been playing football for sometime. But I know they will be fully fit before the match,” Basena said. URA is camped for double session training at Bukalasa in Wobulenzi, in Luweero district.

Although his lead striker Henry Kisekka played full time against Simba, Basena remains worried about midfielder Emmanuel Balyejusa and striker Hamis Kiiza, who are recovering at snail pace. The tw o got injured at training.