Onduparaka vs Vipers is most eagerly awaited Uganda Cup finals

Saturday, 4pm
Uganda Cup final
Vipers v Onduparaka
 
It has been billed as one of the most eagerly awaited Uganda Cup finals.

The Vipers versus Onduparaka game has hearts pounding in expectation from all corners of Uganda.

The anxiety is fuelled by West Nile side Onduparaka's giant killing run to the final that has had them shoot down favourites like  SC Villa and Soana.

A win for the Arua side will see it breaking many records. No team has ever come straight from the lower division to win Uganda's second biggest soccer competition.

Onduparaka, who have just been promoted to the Super League, will also become the first team from northern Uganda to win the competition.

Gangama (1976) and Mbale Heroes (1999), the only none central region teams to have won the competition were both from eastern Uganda.

The top scorer's prize is another of those awards that looks destined for Arua. Onduparaka in their captain Mohammed Shaban have the competition's top scorer at seven goals.

Coach Allan Kabonge beams with confidence warning that Vipers are about to become their next victims.

"We have not only come to entertain spectators, but also secure a place in the CAF Confederations Cup," Kabonge boldly stated at the team's training in Kyambogo.

 Vipers SC players

"I can assure you of one thing. You will enjoy the game. Actually every blade of grass will taste the ball because of our sleek passing," Kabonge promised.

His counterpart at Vipers George Nsimbe acknowledges that Onduparaka has had a remarkable run but warns that their bubble is about to burst.

"Talking big is one thing but winning on the field is completely different," warned Nsimbe from Vipers' training ground in Kitende.

"We simply can't finish this season without a trophy. We narrowly missed out on the league, this trophy is ours. Remember that we have also never won it."

Vipers has twice come close to the trophy only to be edged out in 2012 by URA and the following year on penalties to Victoria University.

One of the key battles today will be that of the golden boot. It's between Onduparaka's Shaban and Erisa Sekisambu who has six goals.

Shaban brings an interesting spin to the mix. He sparked off a boardroom battle early this week with Vipers claiming he is their player.

Local soccer governing body FUFA however ruled that he is legitimately in Onduparaka.

The federation argued that he couldn't be a Vipers player because the time he was with them he couldn't be committed to a contract because he was a minor.

Shaban celebrated the decision on Wednesday and immediately sounded his readiness for battle.

"I have been at Vipers and know exactly what to do when I come against them," he stated.

Talking of knowing the opposition, Vipers' Alfred Leku als knows exactly what to expect from the Onduparaka. The towering striker has trained with the Arua side.