Wakiso Giants vs UPDF: Team News, Probable Lineups, Preview and Stats

March 31, 2023
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Friday 31st March
Express vs Onduparaka, Mutesa II Stadium Wankulukuku
Wakiso Giants vs UPDF, Kabaka Kyabaggu Stadium
Busoga United vs SC Villa, Kakindu stadium

Saturday 1st April
Bright Stars vs URA, Kavumba Recreation Ground
KCCA vs Maroons, MTN Omondi Stadium.

Team News
Apollo Kagogwe is ruled out having suffered a dislocated arm in the friendly with KCCA.

Shariph Kimbowa remains out after the injury he suffered in the Uganda Cup game against Vipers.

Norman Ojik is out after getting injured in the away game to Blacks Power.

Jerome Wamusi (Gombe SS), Marvin Mukiibi and Ronald Madoi (St. Mary’s Kitende) are playing in the Post-primary schools football competitions.

Mikdad Ssenyonga hasn’t played since he was stretchered off in the game against Maroons and remains on the sidelines despite returning to training a few days ago.

Ramathan Ogene (malaria) and George Kaddu (concussion) are also ruled out of the encounter.

Titus Ssematimba who missed the trip to Lira could be available for selection after returning to training while Moses Aliro is a big doubt as injury has kept him out of training since he got off in Lira.

UPDF will be without Defender Moses Kiggundu after picking red card against Bright Stars.

Pius Kaggwa went AWOL since the start of second round.

The Army side are boosted with the return of Mugisha Rogers who was with the Uganda Cranes.

Goalkeeper Derrick Emmanuel Were also returns after missing the game against his parent club Bright Stars.

Probable Lineups

Wakiso Giants: Samson Kiirya (GK), Paul Willa, Lawrence Bukenya, Ambrose Arinda, Marvin Nyanzi, Rahmat Ssenfuka, George Kaddu, Tom Masiko, Titus Ssematimba, Alex Komakech, Irasa Pascal.

UPDF: Derrick Were (GK), Kawagu Christopher, Oyirwoth Daglas, Ibrahim Magandaazi, Bernard Muwanga, Adriko Rogers, Ibrahim Wammanah, Yiga Frank, Ivan Ahimbisibwe, Mugisha Rogers, Nsimbe Badru Jibril.

Preview: Wakiso Giants target double over UPDF

Wakiso Giants will hope to complete a double over UPDF when they they face off at Kabaka Kyabaggu Stadium.

Frank Ssebuufu penalty Inspired John Luyinda’s charges to a 1-0 away victory at Bombo Barracks Ground in the reverse fixture.

However, the Purple Sharks are wary of their drop in form that sees them winless in their last five games.

In the second half of the season, Wakiso Giants have picked just one point, a goalless draw away to Vipers and lost the other three to KCCA, Maroons and Blacks Power.

However, Wakiso Giants will be buoyed by their impressive record against UPDF.

They have faced five times and Wakiso Giants have won four and drawn the other one.

“It’s absurd that we are going to miss several of our teammates but the onus is on us the available players to do the job, win and bring the pride of the club back on track,” Wakiso Giants midfielder Tom Masiko told the club media.

Samson Kiirya said: “We have been unfortunate in the previous games despite playing well but we feel the game against UPDF is one to use to get our first win in the second round.

“We were close in Lira but only denied on several occasions by the post. It’s high time we started winning games as a way to appreciate our fans for the endless support and we shall do all it takes to get three points.”

UPDF will be full of confidence after putting an end to their four games winless run against Bright Stars.

They also picked their first maximum points of the second round.

The only negative is that, the Army side are yet to win any game on the road.

This year, they will hope to pick their first win against Wakiso Giants.

The Stats

Wakiso Giants

Wakiso Giants are 6th on the log with 26 points in 18 matches.(7W, 5D, 6L)

They have scored 22 goals and conceeded 19 times.

The Purple Sharks are winless in their last five games with two draws and three defeats.

UPDF

UPDF sits 13th on the log with 15 points after 18 matches.(3W, 6D, 9L)

They have scored 14 goals and conceeded joint highest goals (29) level with Blacks Power.