UPL: Clash of top two as Vipers host KCCA

Feb 18, 2020

With five points separating the two sides, and nine games left to the end of the season, any result from this fixture will be very telling in the quest for the title.

STARTIMES UGANDA PREMIER LEAGUE

Tuesday fixtures

Vipers v KCCA (4pm)

Busoga vs URA (4:30pm)

Police vs Bright Stars (4:30pm)

Wakiso Giants vs Maroons (4:30pm)

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KAMPALA - It is the battle of the top two as leaders Vipers take on reigning champions KCCA in Kitende Tuesday in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League.

With five points separating the two sides, and nine games left to the end of the season, any result from this fixture will be very telling in the quest for the title.

Vipers are at the dizzying summit of the table on 49 points while KCCA's 2-1 over Maroons two weeks ago helped them close in on the Venoms.

Victory at St. Mary's Stadium will bring Mike Mutebi's side to within breathing distance of the three-time league champions.

But if the three points fall to the hosts, title-chasing Vipers will open up an eight-point gap at the top, meaning they would only need to win seven of their remaining nine games to clinch a fourth title.

Will Fred Kajoba's boys see this one out?

"This is a big game. We need to handle it with a lot of care," he said ahead of the game.

"We just need to improve on our effectiveness in front of goal since we create a lot of chances. This is the best opportunity we have to prove that we deserve to win the title."

 are looking to tip the balance scales when they meet ipers uesday eveningKCCA are looking to tip the scales when they meet Vipers Tuesday evening

 

Kajoba's opposite, Mike Mutebi, believes they have what it takes for a smash and grab win.

"We are not under pressure and we have enough to negotiate that match and try to pick a good result that can further our ambitions of retaining the title," he said.

"We have the capacity to go there and win that game if the players do the things there are supposed to do right. We are going there with the mentality of winning," said the KCCA tactician.

Vipers and KCCA will be meeting for the 30th time in league history and are even. In the 29 league games they have faced each other, both teams have won 11 times and drawn on seven occasions.

KCCA have scored more goals - 39 against Vipers' 35.

So who will claim a 12th win in this duel?

Meanwhile, the Venoms come into today's with high confidence after they welcomed back skipper Halid Lwaliwa, Karim Watambala and Siraje Ssentamu from injury. Milton Karisa, who returned to Vipers after his spell in Morocco, will have a chance to play his first game this season.

KCCA will miss the services of defenders Sam Kato and John Revita, as well as striker Sadat Anaku due to injury.


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