SCVU look to overturn deficit against Don Bosco

By Fred Kaweesi

    CAF Confederations Cup   

SCVU v Don Bosco (today at 4pm)

A 3-0 defeat suffered at the hands of a more experienced opponent would deflate the spirits of any team marching into the return leg.

But that is not the case with Uganda’s CAF Confederations Cup representatives SCVU.

The Uganda Cup champions confront DR Congo side Don Bosco in today’s fi xture at Namboole stadium determined to overturn the result and progress to the next stage of the competition.

“I am convinced that we can overturn the result. The players will try to do everything to achieve that,” SCVU coach Morley Byekwaso said.

“We have worked on all departments of the team. We want to remain defensively solid as we look for the goals,” he added.

In Lubumbashi, Byekwaso opted for a cautious strategy and it backfired. He watched on helplessly as his flawed approach, poor officiating and individual mistakes conspired to condemn his side to the worst possible start to their CAF adventure.

But at Namboole stadium, the youthful tactician will hope for the best.

First half goals from Lungu Luka, Pembele Reagan and a third after the break from Joseph Sitali meant that the youthful outfit will have to win by four clear goals to guarantee progress to the next round. A 3-0 win for SCVU will lead to a penalty shoot-out.

All said, the one area that SCVU will have to deal with are individual mistakes that ‘gifted’ Don Bosco the first two goals.

Wingers Peter Otai and Muwadda Mawejje could also have a significant bearing on the game. The two midfielders were restricted to less than 45 minutes in Lubumbashi but on the basis of their performance off the bench, should start this time.

In the first leg, Don Bosco dominated proceedings in the first half but faded later in the second half when SCVU introduced Mawejje (on the right) and Otai (on the left).

The hosts’ two full-backs Godet Masengo and Patient Mwepu struggled to contain Mawejje’s lung-bursting runs and Otai’s industrious movement on either side of midfield.

First team stars Savio Kabugo and Denis Iguma, who missed the first leg due to suspension, should frustrate Don Bosco’s game plan that relies on moving the ball until spaces appear in the final third to allow Zambian striker Luka Lungu find the goals.