Kitende face Kibuli SS in COPA Coca-Cola quarter-finals
May 07, 2015
St. Mary’s SS Kitende tactician Joseph Kasana beckons history is on his side as the former champions take on defending champion Kibuli SS in the COPA Coca-Cola quarterfinals on Thursday.
By Samson Opus
COPA Coca-Cola
Quarterfinals
Thursday
Masaka SS v Citizen 9.00am
Layibi College v Ryakasinga 11am
Kitende v Kabuli 2.00pm
Kakungulu v Risah Standard 4.00pm
St. Mary’s SS Kitende tactician Joseph Kasana beckons history is on his side as the former champions take on defending champion Kibuli SS in the COPA Coca-Cola quarterfinals on Thursday.
The match expected to be one of major highlights of the tournaments, was a pick of the evening in draws conducted after the late Wednesday qualifying round.
Twelve-time champions Kibuli SS who saw off Jinja SS 1-0 in the last 16 face a test of their title credentials as they take on former seven-time winners the Wakiso giants.
The two teams have met four-times with Kitende taking all the proceeds. The last fixtures was during the East Africa games in Dar-es-Salaam last December which went Kitende’s way 3-1 on penalties. Both teams had tied to a one-all draw in normal time.
And going by the rich history on his side, Kitende tactician Kasana expects good results on his side.
“We know it is going to be a tough match. We respect them as a champions but I trust that history will be on our side. We have never lost to them,” remarked Kasana after the draws.
“Physically were are equal but tactically we are better. This is going to be our final,” added Kasana who is one of talent development brains at Kitende.
Kibuli coach Abdalah Mubiru also promised to strive for better results. “We have come here to win. Our determination and target is to retain the title and we are set for that,” he said.
Kitende had to sweat to overcome debutants Amus College of Bukedea 3-2 on penalties in the last 16-a situation that Kasana blamed on the poor ground.
Kitende will have to rely on Alfred Leku, Shaban Muhammed and Nashir Mbabali for the goal hunt against an equally tactical alert Kibuli side fronted by Geoffrey Bayo, Steven Mukwala and Wahab Gaddafi.
Layibi College of Gulu take on Ryakasinga CHE of Mbarara while Masaka square off with Citizen High also of Mbarara.
Meanwhile, Lugazi-based Risah Standard Academy returned to the picture after successfully winning a petition against high riding Kigezi High.
Risah who fell to Kigezi High 4-2 on sport kicks in the last 16 late Wednesday bounced back after Kigezi was disqualified for fielding an imposter in keeper Gerald Ssenkayi.
Ssenkayi, arguably one of the best goal keepers in the tournament reportedly featured for St. Edwards SS Bukuumi as Patrick Kawooya in 2013.
The same player was registered for a Jinja Big League side as Gerald Ikara.
RELATED STORIES: