UFL: Muteesa seeks revenge as MUBS eyes quarterfinal spot

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Pepsi University Football League 

MRU v MUBS (Live on Bukedde TV2, Wan Luo TV, Tuesday 3pm)

With only one team from each of the six groups earning automatic qualification to the quarterfinals in the Pepsi University Football League, Tuesday's Group F showdown between leaders Makerere University Business School (MUBS) and second-placed Muteesa I Royal University (MRU) is set to be a thrilling encounter at Kirumba Grounds in Masaka city.

Separated by just a single point after three matches each, MUBS currently sit top with four points, while MRU follow closely with three. Group F consists of only three teams, with Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) trailing at the bottom with a single point.

This marks MRU’s debut season in the competition, and their first-ever league match was against MUBS last October in Nakawa, where Joe Mbabazi’s second-half penalty secured a narrow 1-0 win for MUBS.

Despite that defeat, MRU impressed many with their fluid passing and energetic play. However, controversy surrounded the match, with MRU feeling aggrieved by the penalty decision. Determined to settle the score, they have vowed to avenge that loss in today’s return fixture.

MRU’s last match before the league break in November saw them dominate MUST with a commanding 3-0 victory, while MUBS had to battle for a 1-1 draw against MUST in Mbarara City.

MRU will look to key players Geoffrey Sserugo, Francis Bbaale, Ali Lutwama, Ibrahim Mubiru, and Patrick Busuulwa to make an impact. Notably, Mubiru, Bbaale, and Sserugo all found the net in their impressive win over MUST.

On the other hand, MUBS, two-time winners of the competition, will count on Benjamin Nazar, Marvin Ategeka, and Stuart Magumba to deliver a crucial result against a determined MRU side, backed by their passionate home fans at Kirumba Grounds.

Beyond Group F, the race for quarterfinal spots is heating up across the competition.

Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) leads Group A with seven points, holding a narrow advantage over second-placed Busitema University, who have six points. Defending champions Nkumba University are third with four points, while ISBAT sits at the bottom with none.

In Group B, Makerere University and Ndejje University are tied at the top with seven points each, setting up a likely battle for first place. Victoria University and Kumi University trail behind with just one point each.

Group C sees YMCA leading with five points, closely followed by St Lawrence University and Kabale University, both on four points. Last season’s runners-up, Uganda Christian University (UCU), find themselves in a precarious position at the bottom with just two points.

Group D is another tight contest, with Kampala University and Bugema University level on six points each, while Gulu University is close behind with four. Kampala International University (KIU) sits last with a single point.

Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) Nkozi stands out as the only team with a comfortable lead in Group E, having collected a perfect nine points from three matches. Chasing them are Muni and IUEA, both on four points, while Unik remains winless at the bottom.

After the group stage, the six group winners will secure automatic quarterfinal spots, while two additional slots will be awarded to the best-performing second-placed teams.

With two games remaining for each team in Group F and three matches left for teams in other groups, every point is crucial as the battle for qualification intensifies.

Today’s clash between MUBS and MRU could be a decisive moment in Group F, shaping the race for a quarterfinal place.