Onduparaka carried a surprise tag that propelled them to fifth place in their maiden Azam Uganda Premier League season.
The fruitful spell saw the side finish the season unbeaten at home - the Betway Green Light Stadium in Arua. The venue has become a den of sorts, with the club yet to lose a match there in nearly seven years. A series of friendlies and tours, busy transfer season should have piled the blocks right for coach Livingstone Mbabazi ahead of another gruesome season.
Onduparaka’s target was to survive relegation but they shot through to the sky with 11 wins out of 30 matches to amass 45 points. The side now will hope to get off the winning note when they face Proline in the season opener in front of their green faithful in Arua on September 12. Proline, who lost captain Gift Ali to a rejuvenated Police side, finished 12 points adrift of Onduparaka in 13th place.
But after that tie, Onduparaka will travel 450km south to Kampala to face Fufa Big League champions Maroons on September 12 at Luzira Prison grounds before facing league champions KCCA four days later in Lugogo. Not many would want to recall the 7-0 loss that had teenager Allan Okello net a hat-trick when Onduparaka visited KCCA last season.
The Caterpillars will then host Police on September 30 before travelling back to Kampala to face URA on October 3. Unlike last season where they hosted KCCA, SC Villa and Vipers all in the first round, Onduparaka will visit record league winners SC Villa on December 9. They also play Express on October 10 in Wankulukuku.
AZAM UGANDA PREMIER LEAGUE
ONDUPARAKA’S FIRST FIVE MATCHES
September 12: Onduparaka vs. Proline, Arua
September 16: Maroons vs. Onduparaka, Luzira
September 19: KCCA vs. Onduparaka, Lugogo
September 30: Onduparaka vs. Police, Arua
October 3: URA vs. Onduparaka, Namboole
KEY FIRST ROUND FIXTURES
September 23: Vipers vs. SC Villa, Kitende
September 29: URA vs. KCCA, Namboole
October 3: KCCA vs. Express, Lugogo
October 10: Express vs. URA, Wankulukuku
October 20: Express vs. Onduparaka, Wankuluku
October 28: Onduparaka vs. Vipers, Arua
October 28: SC Villa vs. KCCA, Masaka
November 4: URA vs. SC Villa, Namboole
November 7: SC Villa vs. Express, Masaka
December 9: SC Villa vs. Onduparaka, Masaka
December 9: KCCA vs. Vipers, Lugogo
December 12: Vipers vs. URA, Kitende
December 15: Express vs. Vipers, Wankulukuku
This writer is a scribe with Daily Monitor Newspaper and, also a sports presenter with NBS Television and Radio One FM 90 in Kampala. Follow him on Twitter: @AllanDarren and his Facebook Page: Darren Allan Kyeyune