AUPL second round set to kickoff February 10
Club signed Moses Ndawula and Jamal Malish ahead of second round
The kick-off of the second round of the 2017/2018 Azam Uganda Premier League (AUPL) has been confirmed at February 10.
With just over three weeks left, many clubs have consequently resumed preparations with Betway sponsored Onduparaka no exceptions.
Unlike most clubs however the Caterpillars as they are fondly referred to by the club faithful appear to have identified weakness as they seek to improve their fourth position standing in the league.
As they returned to training this week, head coach Livingstone Mbabazi’s charges made changes that started with the announcement of Simeon Masaba as assistant coach at the club.
The amiable Masaba joins after starting the season at URA in the same role before he was sacked alongside Ibrahim Kirya.
In his playing days, Masaba is most remembered for his time as Cranes right back having also played for SC Villa and Police at club level.
He was not the only new face at the Betway Greenlight Stadium this week though.
The club also announced the additions of two forward players Moses Ndawula as well as young striker Jamal Malish.
While little is known about Malish, Ndawula joins after his stint at Kenyan giants Tusker was cut short at the end of the year. He returns to the country having previously featured for SC Villa, Lweza and Kiira Young.
The Caterpillars have struggled for a consistent goal scorer this season since the departure of Muhamad Shaban.
At the same stage last season the striker had scored eight goals as Onduparaka ended the first round in third position in their maiden appearance in the topflight league.
Currently fourth at the same stage, they have scored 14 goals, two goals less than the previous season’s tally but with goals spread around the team.
There were however frustrations as the club went three games without a goal for three consecutive games against Vipers, Bul and Mbarara.
Caesar Okhuti, Ezra Bida, Karim Ndugwa and Alfred Leku have all hardly impressed in front of goal. Of the four, Okhuti scored a team high four goals with the rest not scoring more than two goals each.
In the same vein, the club however released Arua-born striker Alfred Leku following a six-month loan spell from Vipers.