IUIU, Busitema lock horns with quarterfinal hopes on the line

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Pepsi University Football League 

IUIU vs Busitema (Tuesday, 4pm)

Kumi vs Makerere (Friday, 4pm)

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Separated by just two points in Group A of the Pepsi University Football League, Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) hosts Busitema University on Thursday in Mbale City, with both sides determined to keep their quarterfinal hopes alive.

Defending champions Nkumba University currently lead the group with 10 points, two ahead of second-placed IUIU (8 points), while Busitema sits third with 6 points. A victory for IUIU will see them overtake Nkumba at the top, setting up a thrilling final group-stage showdown between the two sides next week in Entebbe.

For Busitema, Thursday’s clash is a must-win after their heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Nkumba two weeks ago. A loss or draw would leave their qualification chances hanging by a thread.

Race to quarterfinals

Only group winners will advance directly to the quarterfinals, with the six group winners joined by the two best second-placed teams based on points and overall performance.

Should Busitema win, they will leapfrog Nkumba into second place with 9 points, keeping their quarterfinal hopes alive. With their final fixture coming against already eliminated ISBAT, a win on Thursday would put them in a strong position to advance.

In the reverse fixture last September, IUIU came from behind to beat Busitema 2-1, courtesy of goals from Denis Onongo and Ismael Tambula, while Derrick Waduma netted for Busitema.

IUIU captain Shafik Kawooya has urged his teammates to treat this as a final, knowing that a win is crucial for their qualification chances.

“It will not be easy because Busitema also know they have to win to stay in the competition. To me, this is an elimination match, and we cannot afford to be knocked out. That’s why I am calling upon my teammates to give their best and help the team win,” said Kawooya.

Busitema skipper Lawrence Mugerwa, meanwhile, has called for defensive discipline, referencing their costly mistakes in the loss to Nkumba.

“We have to be careful and alert. We should not repeat the same mistakes we made against Nkumba. I know it will be tough to get a win against IUIU, but we are ready to fight for it,” vowed Mugerwa.

League action continues on Friday, with Kumi University hosting Makerere University in Kumi district.