It is nearly a month before the 2017-18 Azam Uganda Premier League kicks-off. And no side has put the foot off the pedal in preparation for the season that gets underway on September 12.
Last week, Onduparaka, who finished fifth in their debut top-flight season, completed a pre-season tour to the Kitara Region in Western Uganda.
Here, they managed to play friendly matches; earning 1-1 and 2-2 draws against Masindi Select and Kitara XI thanks to goals from new signing Karim Ndugwa among others.
Onduparaka will intensify its preparations when they meet Azam FC in a friendly tie at Namboole on Sunday.
“Namboole, here we come Sunday, Onduparaka UG vs. Azam FC TZ. #WeAreOnduparaka,” read a club tweet via their handle @OnduFC.
Tanzanian Premier League club Azam in Uganda for a pre-season campaign as well where they have already played a 2-all draw against Uganda Cranes in Kitende.
Azam, who finished fourth with 52 points from 30 matches last season, have also lined-up other encounters against Vipers and URA.
It is not the first time that Onduparaka is facing a foreign opponent in a friendly. On February, the Caterpillars beat Gor Mahia 2-0 at Namboole thanks to Kabon Living’s brace that sent the 15-time Kenya Premier League champions packing.
Onduparaka coach Livingstone Mbabazi would want more of that on Friday as he sees the new signings like striker Ndugwa, goal keeper Nicholas Sebwato, Aggrey Kirya, Vianney Ssekajugo, Allan Busobozi and Rashid Okocha gel in.
AZAM FC FRIENDLIES
Aug 8: Uganda CHAN Side 2-2 Azam, Kitende
Aug 10: KCCA vs. Azam, Lugogo
Aug 11: Onduparaka vs. Azam, Wankulukuku
Aug 13: URA vs. Azam
Aug 14: Vipers vs. Azam, Kitende
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