Saturday at Betway Greenlight Stadium
Uganda Cup Round of 64
Onduparaka vs Light SSS
4pm, Fee:- 3,000 UgSh
The Uganda Cup undoubtedly arouses strong memories for Onduparaka FC. This is after the club gained nationwide fame with a fairytale run that culminated into a finals appearance against Vipers in 2016.
Ahead of the start of this year’s tournament, Gadaffi Gadinho wants the team to replicate that run starting with the round-of-64 game against Lights SSS at the Betway Greenlight Stadium on January 26
th, 2017.
“Uganda Cup holds memories in this team because it was during this tournament that the world was taken ablaze by the force of Onduparaka. That is the reason why every year it’s a special competition for us” dynamic midfielder Gadaffi Gadinho told the club website in the aftermath of the draws.
That fairytale run as well as exposing the talent of the like of Gadinho, Muhammad Shaban, Rashid Toha and several others included knocking out then Cup holders SC Villa.
Gadaffi is now hoping they can even go one better and win the trophy having made another strong start to the season that means they will not have to worry about any relegation struggles.
“We are happy with the draws and our target as always will be to win the trophy and we believe that it’s possible and with the strength of the team I believe this is our year” he added.
Having previously made their names as underdogs, the tables will be turned this time as they host a club that is plying its trade in the third tier North Eastern regional league.
Last season Onduparaka were eliminated at the quarterfinal stage by Sadolin to miss out on playing the final hosted at their Betway Greenlight stadium and won by KCCA.
There have been changes to the current Onduparaka team which is also preparing for the start of the second round next month with former Cranes captain and URA assistant coach Simeon Masaba joining Livingstone
Mbabazi’s coaching department.
Arua-born striker Alfred Leku has also since departed after ending his half season loan stint from Vipers with the club promoting young forward Salim Abdallah from the junior team.
The most important addition could however turn out to be the acquisition of experienced forward Moses Ndawula who arrives from Kenya’s Tusker.
Ndawula is expected to further sharpen the betway sponsored club’s attack as he uses both feet and possesses the ability to play in a number of forward positions as a second striker, attacking midfielder and out wide.