Tuesday, February 14
•Kitara Vs Uganda Pentecostal University – Kigaaya (Hoima)
•Blacks Power Vs Wakiso Giants – Akii-bua Stadium (Lira)
Wakiso Giants and Blacks Power will be eyeing a place in the round of 16 when they meet in the Stanbic Uganda Cup on Tuesday.
This is one of the only two matches of the Round of 32 involving both Top flight teams. The other will see SC Villa square off with holders BUL.
The Purple Sharks who knocked out Fort Portal Boda Boda to reach this stage, will be fancying another deep run in the competition having reached the Quarterfinals last year before suffering elimination to eventual finalists.
“We are well prepared for the game. We know we are playing a stubborn side in Blacks Power and more so at their home. That implies travelling a long distance,” coach John Ayala Luyinda told the Club Webiste.
“We have injuries to some of our key players but we believe the rest of the members are well prepared to represent the club well.”
The Purple Sharks come into the tie off the back of a 1-0 loss to KCCA in the league, courtesy of a controversial goal by Rogers Mato.
The club will miss the trio of Titus Ssematimba, Apollo Kagogwe and Ronald Madoi who are with the Uganda Hippos in Egypt for AFCON U20 tournament.
Attackers Shariph Kimbowa (malaria), Frank Ssebuufu (illness) and Moses Aliro (knee) are ruled out.
The two sides met in the league last year: Wakiso Giants won 2-1 at Kabaka Kyabaggu stadium.
Then, Norman Ojik and Titus Ssematimba were on target for Wakiso, while Michael Siwu brought one back for the Visitors.
Blacks Power on the other hand, eliminated Bukedea Central to reach this stage.
They are currently fourth from the bottom and have improved each game since Hussein Mbalangu took over as the head coach.
“We are very ready, we have had good preparations and we want to keep the momentum from our previous games. We hope carry the day,” Mbalangu remarked.
They come into this contest after drawing 1-1 with BUL FC in a league game at Njeru.
First choice goalkeeper Emmanuel Odongkara is sidelined after picking an injury in the BUL game and he will be replaced by Tonny Kyamera who makes a return from a layoff.
Ivan Okello got injured in their Uganda Cup game against Bukedea. Kyamera came back while Haron Odongo has recovered from a knock at Njeru.
