Saturday, September 10
•BUL Vs Future, 4pm
Uganda Premier League representatives at this season’s CAF Confederation Cup BUL FC will be seeking to make their debut appearance on the continent count.
The Eastern Giants, as BUL prefer to call themselves, are targeting a first leg advantage when they host Egyptian side Future FC at St Mary’s Stadium in Kitende.
It feels like an away fixture of sorts for BUL to host at Kitende as their known home venue – Kyebazinga Stadium in Bugembe – cannot pass the CAF Licensing requirements.
BUL reached this stage after a winning the Uganda Cup last season when they beat Vipers 3-1 in a thrilling final held in Booma, Masindi.
And Alex Isabirye’s side went on to finish fourth in the league, their best placement since joining top flight.
And with a couple of additions, including striker Frank Kalanda and defender Benon Tahomera, BUL will feel they can build on last season’s success to go an extra mile.
“It being our first time to play at the continent, we feel so good because it’s a dream come true for every player here,” BUL FC Captain and goalkeeper Saidi Keni said.
“This is a game of our lives, and so much may change after it. We started training early enough and we believe we have got enough preparations. Everyone is in right shape and ready for the challenge.”
“Winning this game is what we can boldly promise our fans come the day.“
They have had good preparations in the lead up to this fixture highlighted by a trip to Rwanda despite losing 1-0 to Kiyovu FC in that friendly, with Ugandan Erisa Ssekisambu scoring that lone goal.
But they will bank on the fact that Future FC are also making their debut on the continent, to spring a surprise.
If BUL is to go past this first hurdle, they will have to take a good lead to Egypt for the return leg.
Their biggest worry will come in form of game fitness though as they last played a competitive fixture about three months back.
Future FC on the other hand, finished fifth in the league recently, with 56 points.
They qualified to this Stage (CAF Confederation Cup) after Egypt FA decided to choose their representative basing on the first half results of the season because the season had not yet ended ahead of the CAF deadline.
Future were seated fourth by then, and hence earned a Continental ticket.
Future was previously known as Coca-Cola FC but they changed their name last year in September after they were acquired by Future company for sports investments.
They won the 2022 EFA League Cup, a new competition competed for by top flight Egypt clubs.
They arrived in the Country earlier this week and have been residing at Sheraton Hotel in Kampala.
The return leg in Egypt will be played next Saturday on September 16, at Cairo International Stadium.
If BUL progress past Future FC, they will meet winner between Borgou (Benin) and Kallon FC (Sierra Leone) at the second preliminary round which is the penultimate stage to the group stages.
How To Watch:
The game is going for Sh10,000 (ordinary) and sh50,000 (VIP) as entrance fee at Kitende. It’s not going to be broadcast anywhere.
BUL FC probable Starting XI: Saidi Keni, Benon Tahomera, Richard Ayiko, Douglas Muganga, Pascal Ngobi, Jerome Kirya, Ibrahim Kazindula, Hillary Onek, Simon Peter Oketch, Frank Kalanda, Karim Ndugwa.
