Saturday, December 4
*Onduparaka Vs Express – 3pm
*UPDF Vs Busoga
*Kyetume Vs Kitara
Onduparaka FC new coach Vialli Bainomugisha is aware of the challenges his side faces ahead of season opener with Express FC on Saturday at Greenlight stadium.
The match will be broadcast live on Sanyuka TV at 3pm courtesy of league sponsors StarTimes.
Arua has been a fortress for the Caterpillars but without fans allowed, this is expected to be neutralised.
The club has recruited over 20 players and Bainomugisha has had little time to gel with them.
In a press briefing on Friday, Bainomugisha said that he is still waiting for Club CEO to present the available licenses and FUFA Covid19 team for the Covid results to know the number of players available for selection.
“I have already prepared my players mentally, psychologically and physically for the game against Express, they know the importance of the match, and we want to promise our fans that we will represent them well,” Bainomugisha said.
On team news, he revealed: “Right now, I have to wait for the Covid results because we had our tests yesterday, and also the CEO to avail me with the licenses. Anything that comes out, we will have to replan accordingly.”
Moses Okot, Noel Nasasira and Ronald Odokonyero (loan) headline the new signings at the club.
Other new additions include Emmanuel Oketch, Gabriel Matata, Jerry Jakisa, Bony Musema, Augustine Opoka, Shaban Wasswa and Oscar Agaba etc, with a core of the them yet to have a taste of top flight football.
“This is the same project I had at Mbarar City FC in 2017, now see how Brian Aheebwa and Ibrahim Orit have progressed. It has been short time I have been with these players but I am doing my best, its challenging.
“These are young and talented boys who are willing to learn. They have responded well at least from the recent friendlies. My target is to get a good place at the end of the season.”
Much Anticipation at Express FC
A lot has happened in a short spell since the arrival of new Express CEO Isaac Mwesigwa. New sponsorship deals include Betway’s renewal, organisation off the pitch and new signings have created a semblance of a team that is ready to fight for the league title.
Crispus Kusiima, Enock Walusimbi, Murushid Juuko, Godfrey Lwesibawa, Abel Eturude, John Byamukama among others are the new additions.
Coach Wasswa Bbosa and his technical staff will be under pressure to deliver the results given that all has been put in place by his bosses.
Daniel Kiwanuka was added as the new goalkeeping coach, Lewis Ainebyona is the new Performance Analyst while Helen Buteme joined as the strength and conditioning coach.
“We all know clubs are re-organizing themselves and that they’ll be competitiveness,” Bbosa recently told the club website.
“We have already done our homework on all the teams, So I’d say we’re braced up for any team that will come our way.”
Anything below top four this season will be seen as an underachievement by the ambitious club fans.
Bbosa will be without Mahad Yaya Kakooza who is down due to a knee injury.
The Stats:
Onduparaka FC started 2019/20 season with a 3-0 walkover against Police FC while Express lost 1-0 to BUL at Njeru.
The Caterpillars finished 8th, a place above Express in 9th – Both teams were level on 31 points and same goals (30) scored but Onduparaka edged the Red Eagles on goal difference. Express conceded 37 to Onduparaka’s 28 goals.
Last season, Express lost 2-0 to Onduparaka in the first round thanks to goals from Gibson Andinho and Ceaser Okhuti at Wankulukuku.
The Red Eagles, with a man down, paid back the Caterpillars in similar currency, winning 1-0 away in Arua, Frank Ssenyondo with a late strike in what was Wasswa Bbosa’s first league game at the club.
The victory, was the first Express has picked against Onduparaka!
Head to Head
2016/17
*Express 1-1 Onduparaka
*Onduparaka 2-1 Express
2017/18
*Express 1-2 Onduparaka
*Onduparaka 0-0 Express
2018/19
*Express 0-2 Onduparaka
*Onduparaka 0-0 Express
2019/20
*Express 0-2 Onduparaka
*Onduparaka 0-1 Express
