Mbarara City vs Wakiso Giants: Team News, Preview, Stats and how to watch

February 11, 2021
No Comments

Friday, February 12
*Mbarara City FC Vs Wakiso Giants FC – Kakyeka Stadium (live on Sanyuka TV)
*Police FC Vs Kyetume FC – MTN Omondi Stadium
*BUL FC vs KCCA FC – Kyabazinga Stadium
*Onduparaka FC vs Busoga United FC – AbaBet Green Light Stadium

Team news

•Mbarara City have been boosted by the fitness of several players ahead of Friday’s game.
•The likes of Jude Ssemugabi and Bebe Swalik who were ill in some of the opening games are now available.
•However, they are still without head coach Brian Ssenyondo whose away with the U17 National team that is currently in Njeru preparing for the upcoming U17 AFCON finals.
•The good news for the Ankole Lions is that Sadiq Ssempigi has returned to the side and will oversee proceedings in the absence of Ssenyondo.
•For Wakiso Giants, they will be welcoming back defender Hassan Wasswa Dazo who missed the last game due to suspension.
•Tom Matsiko who is yet to feature this season is also available for selection after returning from a long-term injury.
•Marquee signing Kipson Atuhaire is also in line for a debut after completing a move from Indian.
•Another new signing-Ivan Bogere is unavailable as he is currently in Mauritania with the U20 side preparing to take part in the U20 AFCON finals.
•Simon Namwanja is unavailable because of an injury but fellow left-back Alex Komakech may feature if he passes a late fitness test.

Matsiko is making a return from a lengthy layoff. (PHOTOS/Courtesy)

Probable Lineups

Mbarara City FC XI – Mohammed Ssekeba, Steven Othieno, Jasper Aheebwa, Hilary Mukundane, Souleymane Bamba, Pistis Balenge, Solomon Okwalinga, Wol Makueth, John Adriko, Bashir Mutanda, Jude Ssemugabi.

Wakiso Giants FC XI – Derrick Emukule, Edward Satulo, Hassan Wasswa, Alex Komakech, Geriga Atendele, Lawrence Bukenya, Hassan Ssenyonjo, Tom Matsiko, Viane Ssekajugo, Kipson Atuhaire, Pius Kaggwa.

Preview

Wakiso Giants FC will be out for a first victory of the season when they travel away to Mbarara City FC on Friday afternoon.

The Purple Sharks are still one of five sides yet to taste defeat this campaign but are also winless after drawing all of their opening fixtures.

Having scored in four of those five games, Wakiso must be optimistic of a win around the corner as they have proved to have the ability to find the back of the net.

Wakiso has scored in four of their opening five games.

The Purple Sharks have looked good as they have dominated in most of their first four games but know that starting to win games will be vital for their cause of trying to challenge for the title this season.

“We are certainly looking for nothing other than a win. Said Wakiso Giants FC head coach Douglas Bamweyana in his pre-match interview.

“We know it is going to be a very tough game but we feel we have prepared right and have much better balance in our squad especially up top that we can now probably hope for more returns so we are confident but we need to work extremely hard.”

The Purple Sharks will indeed need to work extremely hard to beat a Mbarara City side that is also searching for a first victory of the season.

The Ankole Lions have started relatively poor as they have already lost twice this season and sit in 13th with just three points.

They are coming off two successive draws as they drew 1-1 with KCCA FC before conceding a late equaliser away to MYDA FC in their last game.

Traditionally, Mbarara are strong at home and will be hoping to make home advantage count on Friday.

The Stats

This will be the third meeting between the two sides ever since Wakiso Giants was promoted to the top tier in 2019.

In the previous two match-ups, both side have won their respective fixtures.

Wakiso defeated Mbarara 2-1 at the Kabaka Kyabaggu stadium before the Ankole Lions inflicted revenge in the second game courtesy of a 1-0 victory at Kakyeka.