It is rather odd that just one team has managed to win in five Match Day 6 games played in the Azam
Uganda Premier League this week.
Kirinya-Jinja SS powered to a 2-1 victory over Proline thanks to Musa Esenu’s brace on Tuesday. The result took coach Charles Ayiekho’s side to 11 points from six outings, already a much better start than last season when they survived the knife by a whisker. But Kirinya fell to second on goal difference after Vipers’ 1-1 draw with Soana at Kitende on Wednesday.
And there are three other teams KCCA, Police and Onduparaka tied on 10 points apiece, only separated by goals. The latter side have ably responded to the 4-1 loss to KCCA with two successive wins against Police and Soana at the Betway Green Light Stadium this month. Such is the confidence Onduparaka will take to Wankulukuku Stadium when they face Express on Friday.
Six-time league champions Express appear to have recovered from a slow start with two recent 1-0 wins inspired by experienced forward Daniel Sserunkuma. However, Onduparaka, who debuted in the top-flight last season, poise a better record against Express and coach Livingstone Mbabazi will aim to keep that intact. Last season, Onduparaka scored their first goal ever in the league through towering defender Rashid Toha’s header in the 1-1 draw at Wankulukuku. It came after 240 minutes of football, in response to John Ssemazzi’s effort.
And when Express trekked to Arua, Didier Jean gave them the lead only for Toha to strike twice with the winner coming in the last minute of added time, much to the Red Eagles’ frustration. And a win directly takes Onduparaka to the summit temporarily before Police visit Mbarara City on Saturday. UPDF hosts Masavu on Friday.
AZAM UGANDA PREMIER LEAGUE
MATCH DAY 6
WEEKEND FIXTURES
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20
4pm: Express vs. Onduparaka (LIVE on Azam TV)
4:30pm: UPDF vs. Masavu, Bombo
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21
4pm: Mbarara City vs. Police
RESULTS
Vipers 1-1 Soana
Maroons 1-1 SC Villa
KCCA 0-0 Bright Stars
Kirinya-Jinja SS 2-1 Proline
EXPRESS VS. ONDUPARAKA MEETINGS
May 5, 2017: Onduparaka 2-1 Express
September 6, 2016: Express 1-1 Onduparaka
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