Friday, February 3
*Mbale Heroes FC vs Araka FC
*Kigezi HomeBoyz FC vs Booma FC
*Simba FC vs Adjumani TC
*JLOS FC vs Busoga United
*Water FC vs Lugazi FC
*Fort Portal Boda Boda FC vs Wakiso Giants FC
Wakiso Giants will be hoping to avoid an early Stanbic Uganda Cup exit when they visit Kitara Region side Fort Portal Boda Boda FC at Buhinga Stadium.
On Thursday, two UPL sides Maroons and Gaddafi were eliminated from the competition after defeats to Regional League sides.
Wakiso Giants, placed 4th in UPL, will fancy their chances in Fort Portal.
The Purple Sharks had a good run last season before they were eliminated by beaten finalists Vipers SC in the quarterfinals.
Then, Vipers won 3-1 at Kabaka Kyabaggu Stadium, with Hassan Ssenyonjo’s side proving to be a mere consolation.
Coach John ‘Ayala’ Luyinda is optimistic the Purple Sharks will have better competition this year.
“I believe that we have had a good season so far depending on our position by the end of the first round of the season,” Luyinda said.
“This is a good motivation for us and we hope to return from this break stronger. The Uganda Cup Round of 64 is the first test.”
“I am optimistic that we are going to have better competition compared to that of last season starting with the game against Fort Portal Boda Boda,” he added.
The Purple Sharks will miss three players – Titus Ssematimba, Ronald Madoi and Apollo Kagogwe – who are with the Uganda Hippos team preparing for AFCON U20.
But Moses Aliro and Frank Ssebuufu who were part of the Uganda Cranes team at CHAN are available for selection while new signing Paul Willa also travelled with the team and might make his debut.
The Club lost Midfielder Joshua Lubwama Letti to URA while Ibrahim Kasule joined Ankara in Turkey.
Busoga United is the other SUPL side that will enter the fray on Friday when they visit Northern Region side JLOS at Booma Grounds in Kitgum.
Eastern Region side Mbale Heroes will welcome West Nile Region side Araka at Mbale Stadium.
Western Region side Kigezi HomeBoyz will host Kitara Region side Booma at Kabale Municipal Stadium.
Simba from Buganda Region will welcome Northern Region’s Adjumani to Namulonge Grounds in Gayanza while another Buganda Region side Lugazi will visit Kampala Region side Water at UICT Grounds.
