Thursday, April 28
•Nyamityobora Vs Maroons – Kakyeka
•Calvary Vs MYDA – Greenlight Stadium
•Ndejje University Vs Kitara – Arena of Visions
•Kataka Vs Kyetume – Mbale Municipal
•Blacks Power Vs Luwero United – AkiBua Stadium
The day of reckoning, the moment of truth, the Armageddon has arrived. The 2021/22 FUFA Big League season reaches its climax on Thursday.
This is the judgement day, and a couple of issues including promotion to the Uganda Premier League, relegation to Regional league, top scorer’s golden boot and the big trophy are yet to be decided.
So what are the permutations?
Promotion to UPL
The race to Uganda Premier League 2022/23 season has caught everyone’s attention. This surely was everyone’s main target and dream when the season started last year, and here we are, it all goes down to the wire.
The format is that the top three teams after the end of the season will play in the Uganda Premier League next season.
This is a change from the previous seasons, where the Big League was divided into two groups – Elgon and Rwenzori – and the leader in each group earned direct promotion then the top two qualified for playoffs semis where a final promotional place was determined.
After the format changed in this current season, it has proved tighter than ever before.
Four of the Top three teams have an open chance to earn a ticket to UPL next season.
Kataka – Sit top of the 11-team pile with 36 points, level on points and goal difference (16) with second placed Blacks Power but edge the side having scored a goal more! They are at home against fellow promotion chaser Kyetume. A win or draw will see them earn promotion to UPL next season. Can still qualify with a loss if Maroons fail to get maximum points away to Nyamityobora or Blacks Power beaten by at least a similar margin.
Blacks Power – Second on the table with 36 points, bettered by leaders Kataka FC having scored a goal more. They will be welcoming Luweero United who still have something to play for because they are not mathematically safe. Blacks Power will play in the Uganda Premier League with any win. They can still qualify to UPL with a draw if Kataka are beaten or any of Kyetume and Maroons fail to get maximum points. A loss can still see them earn promotion if Kataka lose by a bigger margin, or Maroons earns a draw and fail to better their goal difference or Kyetume is beaten.
Maroons – They sit third with 35 points, a point below joint leaders Kataka and Blacks Power. The Prison Warders visit already relegated Nyamityobora at Kakyeka Stadium in Mbarara. They will qualify with a win regardless of results happening in other matches. But can still qualify with a draw if Kyetume fails to beat Kataka on the road or if any of Blacks Power or Kataka is beaten at home with a bigger margin of more than four goals. A loss can only see them qualify if Kyetume is also beaten by Kataka.
Kyetume – They are 4th, just outside the top three places, with 34 points. They visit leaders Kataka at the intimidating Mbale Municipal stadium. They have the least chances of earning promotion of the four teams at the moment. They can still storm into the top three if they beat Kataka. A draw can see them earn promotion as well in case Maroons is beaten away to Nyamityobora. A loss will automatically end their UPL hopes. There is still a chance, there is still hope, just.
The Relegation Battle
It may not be as hot at the bottom as it is at the top, but expect tears as the curtains go down on what has been a dramatic and thrilling season. The format is that three bottom teams will pave way for newcomers next season.
Nyamityobora and MYDA FC already waved goodbye after a tearful campaign, and the future for former UPL sides looks dim.
The last spot, currently occupied by Ndejje University, will be determined. With three teams’ fate in the league still remain a mystery.
One of Ndejje, Proline and Luweero United will not play in the FUFA Big League next season!
Ndejje University – Sit 9th with 23 points, and it’s strong to note that they are one of the pioneer members of the Big League from inception, having earned promotion to top flight of the 2018/19 season. They welcome Kitara FC, one of the only three teams with nothing to fight for. Ndejje will seal their stay in the league with nothing but a win. Anything else will see them go down!
Proline – Seated in 8th position with 25 points, just place and two points above safety. It has been a dramatic season for Proline who has won this league a couple of times. They have been in silent battles with FUFA in relation to registration of players, and they at one point in the season had a game against Blacks Power abandoned after they failed to raise the needed number, consequently losing the said match by forfeiture. They have already played 20 games, so they will not be in action and that means that their fate is not in their own hands. Their stay, just like the other teams will depend on Ndejje failing to beat Kitara or if Luweero United lose to promotion chasing Blacks Power by at least a margin of four goals.
Luweero United – Playing in their second season in Big League, Luweero find themselves in another survival fight. They visit Blacks Power at at Aki Bua Memorial Stadium. They can seal their stay in the league with any result if Ndejje fail to beat Kitara. They can as well stay afloat if they avoid a four-goal margin.
The Top scorer’s chats
