Wednesday, April 15
*Maroons Vs Vipers, Luzira – 4pm
*Blacks Power Vs KCCA, Akii-bua stadium – 4pm
*URA FC Vs Wakiso Giants, Mehta Stadium Lugazi – 4pm
Team News
•Norman Odopio returned to full training and will be expected to be available for selection for Maroons.
•Belmos Opio is out as he started his rehabilitation process.
•Loanees Umar Kyebatala and Lawrence Tezikya are ineligible to face their parent club Vipers.
•For Vipers, Captain Milton Karisa is back and in the squad after overcoming a hamstring injury that saw him sit out for three weeks.
•Forward Yunus Sentamu and Marvin Joseph Youngman are still out as they are still on the road to recovery from a joint and ankle problem respectively.
•Defender Livingstone Mulondo suffered a knock on his ankle during his time with the National team (Uganda Cranes)
•Goalkeeper Alfred Mudekereza is still sidelined for weeks with a finger injury he suffered during last week’s training.
•Defender Murushid Juuko is the other player who joins the long still of absentees.
Probable Lineups
•Maroons – Simon Tamale GK, Patrick Bayiga, Jacob Okao, Felix Okot, Ronald Orombi, Fredrick Kigozi, Abel Etrude, Solomon Walusimbi, Abraham Tusubira, Fred Amaku, Creaser Olega.
•Vipers – Fabien Mutombora, Ashraf Mandela, Isa Mubiru, Hillary Mukundane, Bashir Asiku, Siraje Sentamu, Bright Anukani, Olivier Osomba, Milton Karisa, Abubaker Lawal, Ibrahim Orit
Preview: Vipers Shift focus to Uganda Premier League
Vipers SC will be going for maximum points in what will be Alex Isabirye’s first league game when they take a visit to Luzira to face Maroons on Wednesday.
The Venoms return home in the league after a busy schedule on the continent that saw a couple of their league games postponed for the past weeks.
On the continent, they finished rock bottom of their group with just two points on their maiden appearance in the CAF champions League group stages.
They are fourth on the log with 28 points, 12 below leaders SC Villa who has played five games more.
And the visit to Luzira, will be crucial as they seek to close the gap at the top.
The Venoms will also be seeking for a strong return in the league and putting it in mind that winning the league will guarantee his side a ticket to next season’s CAF champions League football.
On the other hand, Maroons will be seeking to extend their good run they have enjoyed since the start of the second round.
The Muhammad Senfuma coached side has been brilliant in the second round, picking three wins and drawn twice.
That good run has seen them move to the 8th position with 26 points after 19 games.
And their latest game was when they denied KCCA at Lugogo, in their 1-all draw over the weekend.
Against Vipers, they will be seeking revenge against a side that beat them 3-0 in the reverse fixture last year in November.
And also, putting it in mind that a win will put them ahead of the Venoms on the log, Maroons will build on that to stage a better performance against the Kitende based club.
They will rely more on their outstanding players including goalkeeper Simon Tamale and Striker Fred Amaku if they are to get the job done on Wednesday.
Head to Head
2022/23
Maroons Vs Vipers
Vipers 3-0 Maroons
2019/20
Vipers 5-0 Maroons
Maroons 0-3 Vipers
2018/19
Vipers 2-0 Maroons
Maroons 1-2 Vipers
2017/18
Maroons 1-1 Vipers
Vipers 1-1 Vipers
2015/16
Maroons 0-1 Vipers
Vipers 1-0 Maroons
2011/12
Maroons 0-0 Vipers
Vipers 1-0 Maroons
