Wednesday, May 11
•Mbarara City Vs Vipers – Kakyeka Stadium
After being relegated from UPL, Mbarara City will seek to solace in Stanbic Uganda Cup when they host defending champions and league winner Vipers in the first leg of the Semifinal at Kakyeka.
In their many losses to relegation, lies both the home and away defeats to Vipers, so a revenge in the name of stoping them from winning a double (UPL & Uganda Cup) for the first time will be high on the agenda.
They eliminated URA FC 11-10 in penalties following a one-all draw in normal time.
They had earlier defeated neighbors Six o’clock 2-1 at Round of 64, beating Iganga young 4-0 at last sixteen and a hard fought late win over against Mbarara Heroes
“We are aware that Vipers is a strong team but we have the best approach for them thus we know how to get the results from them,” said Coach Sadiq Ssempigi.
“We have been relegated from UPL and this is our only opportunity to give back to our people.”
The visitors on the other hand, will only be looking forward to defending their title and to win a double in a single season for the first time in thier history.
They will also be chasing their third Uganda Cup title after winning their first one in 2016.
On their route to this stage, eliminated Kigezi Homeboyz with a1-0 win at the round of 64, beat Kalongo united 3-1 at round of 32, then 3-O against Kataka and 3-1 against Wakiso Giants at the Quarter finals.
Former Mbarara captain Hillary Mukundane is cap tied having featured for the hosts in the round of 64, other than that all the squad is available apart from the long term injuries.
For coach Roberto Oliveira, he is putting his trust in his team’s experience to fetch positive return which he expected to fully seal in the return leg at Kitende.
“Mbarara city is a strong team who make it hard for opponents to pick a win from their home, but I am going to base on my team’s experience to get results from them and seal the business at Kitende, our target is to win the trophy,” coach Robertinho said.
BUL FC beat Booma FC 5-1 in Masindi in the first Semifinal played.
