KCCA eye fifth straight win as Buhimba visit Lugogo

KCCA FC will be aiming to extend their winning run to five matches and tighten their grip on top spot in the Uganda Premier League (UPL) when they host relegation-threatened Buhimba United Saints on Tuesday night at Omondi Stadium, Lugogo.

The Kasasiro Boys currently lead the 16-team league standings with 23 points from 10 matches. They are closely pursued by defending champions Vipers SC, who sit second on 21 points from nine games.

Record champions SC Villa are third with 20 points from 10 matches, while Kitara occupy fourth place with 19 points, having played nine games.

KCCA come into the midweek fixture in fine form, having registered four consecutive league victories. Their recent run includes 2-1 wins over URA, Mbarara City and BUL, before edging NEC by the same scoreline in last Friday’s Lugogo derby.

Despite the impressive results, head coach Brian Ssenyondo has expressed concern over his side’s defensive lapses. KCCA have conceded goals in eight of their 10 matches this season, managing just two clean sheets.

“It is true we are conceding goals, which is not good, and we are working hard to correct the mistakes,” Ssenyondo said. “However, I am also happy that we are scoring. At the end of the day, winning is what matters, whether it ends 5-4, as long as we get the three points.”

Ssenyondo also cautioned his players against underestimating Buhimba, noting that teams fighting relegation often pose a serious threat.

“Buhimba may have struggled recently, but that does not mean it will be easy. They are also motivated to get points, and we must take them seriously,” he warned.

KCCA will be without forward Emmanuel Anyama, who is suspended following a red card in the win over NEC. Another attacker, Ivan Ahimbisibwe, is unavailable as he is in Morocco with the Uganda Cranes squad preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations finals, which kick off on Sunday in Rabat.

Buhimba, on the other hand, have endured a difficult run, losing six of their last seven matches and conceding heavily. They did, however, show signs of improvement in their previous outing, earning a 2-2 draw against UPDF at Royals Park in Butema, Hoima City.

In other fixtures, BUL FC, who have lost their last four league matches, will host in-form Police FC at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru as they seek to halt their slide.

Meanwhile, struggling NEC FC will face UPDF at the Bombo Military Barracks in an all-defence forces encounter. Both sides have had a slow start to the season, with NEC ninth on 11 points and UPDF just below them in 10th place with 10 points.

Uganda Premier League

Tuesday

BUL v Police, 4pm

UPDF v NEC, 4pm

KCCA v Buhimba, 8pm

Wednesday

Maroons v Express

Mbarara v URA

Lugazi v Vipers

Villa v Calvary

Thursday

UPPC v Kitara