URA fight floods ahead of ZANACO

Feb 24, 2010

URA FC’s prospects of registering a decent away result against Zambia champions Zanaco will depend on how well Uganda’s CAF Champions League representatives re-adjust to the hostile weather in Lusaka.

By Fred Kaweesi

CAF Champions League
Saturday
Zanaco v URA FC


URA FC’s prospects of registering a decent away result against Zambia champions Zanaco will depend on how well Uganda’s CAF Champions League representatives re-adjust to the hostile weather in Lusaka.

URA claimed a 1-0 win over in the first leg at Namboole. Skipper Manco Kaweesa delivered the only goal in added time to the relief of team coach Moses Basena.

All that the tax collectors need now is a win in Lusaka or secure any draw to guarantee qualification to the first round for a two-leg date with Ivory Coast giants Asec Mimosa.

The Uganda league champions, who arrived in the Zambian capital at 5.45pm yesterday, will have to find back-up plans to counter the heavy floods that have hit their host nation due to heavy rains in recent weeks.

Although Kampala has experienced rains in the last few days, their impact has not been as brutal as those in Lusaka, where more than 100 families have been relocated.

Lusaka District Commissioner Christa Kalulu said that shifting families was the best option the government had at the moment to prevent people from contracting diseases.

“A lasting solution to the floods will be found at a later stage since, at the moment, pumping out water in the face of the continuing downpours will not be a sustainable method,” Kalulu stated yesterday.

The townships worst hit are Chawama and Kanyama. Other affected areas are Mandevu, Mtendere, Kaunda Square and Kalikiliki, the base of the 20,000-capacity Sunset Stadium due to host Saturday’s fixture. Though Ugandan teams have in the past accused their various hosts of foul play, URA should have less or no complaints as regards accommodation.

Express, in particular, complained before their Confederations Cup game against DR Congo side AS Vita three years ago of having been placed in a substandard hotel.

SC Villa has also on previous occasions complained of something similar besides being given food with plenty of pepper.

The URA contingent has been booked at Golden Bridge Hotel –– a four-star hotel located about 500 metres from the Sunset Stadium.

The hotel has 100 rooms with public restaurants, swimming pool, poolside bar and conference facilities with up to 300 people, a boardroom and a health club.

URA prepared for this engagement with a goalless draw against Ethiopian champions St George last Sunday.

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