The Stanbic Uganda Cup round of 32 starts with a mouthwatering tie as two UPL sides hunt for a slot in the round of 16.
The purple sharks of Wakiso Giants have traveled a long way to face off with Gulu based side Blacks Power FC in a tricky tie at Akii Bua Stadium.
Wakiso Giants head coach John Luyinda Ayala has expressed the teams readiness to fight for a win as they target silverware this season.
“We are well prepared for the game. We know we are playing a stubborn side in Blacks Power and more so at their home. That implies travelling a long distance.”
“We have injuries to some of our key players but we believe the rest of the members are well prepared to represent the club well.” said John Luyinda Ayala.
The purple sharks will miss a couple of players who are out due to injuries and this may affect their performance against a stubborn side who managed to pick up a 1-1 draw against BUL FC in their last league match.
Key players like Moses Aliro, Frank Ssebufu and Shariph Kimboowa are all rules out due to injuries whereas defenders Apollo Kagoogwe, Ronald Madoi and Midfielder Titus Ssematimba are all away with National team duty with the U20 team.
They come into this tie on back of a 1-0 home loss against the league table leaders KCCA FC as they look set to fight for a win so as to enlighten their chances of walking home with silverware in a season which they have performed better.
Blacks Power will have to put in much effort if they are to prevail to the round of 16 as they play a side which they have never won in the three meetings they have faced each other losing all with the last one a 2-1 loss in the league at Wakisha stadium.
Head coach Hussein Mbalangu has urged his side to keep the momentum they carry from the lwat two previous games as they target a positive result at home against Wakiso Giants.
“We are very ready, we have had good preparations and we want to keep the momentum from our previous games. We hope carry the day,” said Hussein Mbalangu.
The Gulu based side remains confident of eliminating Wakiso Giants as they come into the game with a huge boost of picking up a draw against BUL FC in their last league game, they elinated Bukedea Town Council to reach the round of 32 stage in Uganda cup.
