Can URA dump Cameroon giants Coton Sport today?

CAF Champions League
Preliminaries, 2nd leg
URA FC v Coton Sport (0-0) TODAY, 4pm

By James Bakama & Julius Senyimba

It will not only take a sharp attack, but also a disciplined defense if URA is to soar over Cameroonian giants Coton Sport today.

Despite kicking off with a first leg cushion of an away draw, coach Paul Nkata is well aware that his efforts in Garoua a fortnight ago will come to naught if he doesn’t secure an outright win at Namboole today.

It’s yet another of those tricky situations where any scoring draw will have the visitors advancing. Nkata has for that reason, opted for an attacking 4-3-3 system.

“We want to make the best of our home advantage with an attacking game. But that does not mean that we shall loosen our rear guard,” said Nkata after his last training session in Jinja.

Augustine Nsumba, Erias Sekisambu and Benson Ociti form the attacking trio with the task of initiating moves that will bring forth those badly needed goals.

But efficiency upfront will depend on the creativity of linkmen Oscar Agaba, Owen Kasule and Saidi Kyeyune.

The hosts will be in trouble if their midfield has no lessons from last season’s outing. URA was outplayed in this department resulting in a 2-0 defeat at Namboole to Malian side Djoliba.

Coton Sport have promised an attacking game. “If URA thought we will be defensive, they are in for a big surprise. I want to get into your history books with a win in Kampala,” promised coach Sebastien Desabre.

The 2008 champions league runners-up also come with a psychological edge. They not only have a richer history on the continent, but also boast of an earlier victory over URA.

URA were in their maiden champions league appearance given a rude awakening by the same opposition. After drawing 0-0 in Uganda, URA were whipped 3-0 in Garoua.

Derrick Walulya, Sam Senkumi and Sam Mubiru hold the responsibility of ensuring the visiting strikers are this time kept at bay. Nkata will also pray that goalkeeper Allan Owiny repeats the form that had him emerging as man of the match in the first round.

URA FC's previous CAF performances

2013
Coton Sport 0 URA 0

2012
Djoliba 2 URA 0
URA 0 Djoliba 2
(URA didn’t travel to Bamako for return leg)
URA 3 Lesotho 0
Lesotho 0 URA 0

2010
Zanaco 4 URA 0
URA 1 Zanaco 0

2008
URA 0 ZESCO 2
ZESCO 0 URA 0

2007
Coton Sport 3 URA 0
URA 0 Coton Sport 0