Relegation battle: JMC, BUL face off in Jinja derby

PIC: BUL (in blue) against URA FC at Kakindu recently

AZAM UGANDA PREMIER LEAGUE

Tuesday fixtures

JMC Hippos v BUL FC

Bright Stars v Kirinya Jinja SS

Victory against bottom club JMC Hippos in a Jinja derby on Tuesday will lift BUL FC out of the relegation zone.

A win will see them move either four or three places up the table – depending on Kirinya Jinja SS’s result against Bright Stars FC the same day.

Jinja SS, who are just outside the drop zone, are only above BUL by a better goal difference but have a game in hand over their Jinja rivals.

With six games left before the season ends, every win from now on will prove priceless for these struggling Jinja sides.

It’s still tight at the southern end of the table and all but one bottom side can still survive the drop.

JMC, trailing second-last side Lweza FC by 12 points, will be relegated to Uganda’s second tier football – FUFA Big League.

BUL are now feeling the pressure to win against JMC and their stand-in coach Peter Onen believes just that.

“We are left with six league matches to save our season but if we are to maintain our status in the league, we must start by winning this crucial derby match against JMC Hippos FC, a team that really hates losing to us.

“We have a situation where we must be patient, perfect and calm in this derby like we were in the first leg where we defeated them 3-1,” he said.

BUL striker Villa Orum Chan is expected to return from a long injury layoff to team up with Yudah Mugalu  and Titus Lubega as Robert Achema is expected to continue with the substitute role against JMC’s backline comprised of Musa Walangalira, Isa Magumba  and Wilson Makulo .

Walter Bankene will be missing upfront for JMC following his straight red card during their 2-1 defeate to The Saints on Friday.