Uganda Premier League
Match-day 27
Tuesday
•Bright Stars Vs Vipers, Kavumba – 2pm
•Gaddafi Vs Maroons – Kakindu – 4 Pm
Wednesday
•BUL Vs Arua Hill – Njeru
Friday
•Onduparaka Vs Vipers – Arua
•URA Vs UPDF – Lugazi
•Busoga United Vs Wakiso Giants – Kakindu
Saturday
•Express Vs KCCA – Luzira, 2pm
Team News
Bright Stars will miss their Captain Andrew Kyambadde due to accumulation of yellow cards.
However, they welcome back Nelson Ssenkatuuka from suspension after missing their previous game against Busoga United.
Youngster Ivan Irinimbabazi is in Scotland for trials while left back Andrew Ssemayange is a long term absentee.
For Vipers, forward Yunus Sentamu returned to full training but will need a late fitness test.
Defender Murushid Juuko and Alfred Mudekereza are still under rehabilitation process.
Probable Lineups:
Hassan Matovu (GK), Odongo Jonathan, Omony Denis Kaka, Ashraf Mulindi, Warren Buule, Fiat Cleophas Alex Mandera, Noordin Bunjo, Kasinde Ibrahim, Loki Emmanuel, Nelson Ssenkatuuka
Vipers : Fabien Mutombora GK, Ashraf Mandela, Isa Mubiru, Rogers Torach, Hillary Mukundane, Siraje Sentamu, Nzau Rutumba, Milton Karisa, Yunus Sentamu, Abubaker Lawal, Karim Ndugwa
Preview: Vipers Target Top Spot
Vipers will all go out for maximum points as they target the top spot when they take a visit to Kavumba against Bright Stars on Tuesday.
The Venoms, who are in hot form have everything in their hands to defend their title starting with Tuesdays game.
They picked a vital 1-0 win over rivals KCCA FC last Friday in what was all but a title decider, thanks to Milton Karisa’s late strike at Kitende.
That win, their 13th in the season saw them move to 45 points, one below leaders SC Villa, who have two games more.
And now, there is no room to slip and any positive result at Kavumba will see them go top.
Ahead of the game, head coach Alex Isabirye anticipates a tough contest but he believes that each game is now a final for his men.
“We are facing a team that has been getting the results, that has good coaches and a team that works as a group,” said Isabirye told the club’s media.
“They have players that work as a unit so I know, it won’t be easy but we are trying to see that we get three points for whichever game we play,”
On Tuesday, the good news for Isabirye is the return of their hitman Yunus Sentamu, who will most likely get some minutes in the game.
Against Bright Stars, it will be the start of the few remaining games for Vipers, as they seek to retain their title.
And the task at hand for Vipers is to win their remaining fixtures, starting with the trip to Kavumba.
On the other hand, the hosts will be seeking to hurt the Venoms when they welcome them at their home.
Bright Stars, on paper have literally nothing to play for given their position on the log.
But they have been a stubborn side against the top sides and most remarkably they eliminated KCCA out of the Uganda Cup this year.
And even their first game of the season, they denied Vipers at Kitende, with the game ending goalless at Kitende last year in September.
Ahead of the tie, their head coach Asaph Mwebaze said .
“We are taking this game seriously because it will put us in a better position. I don’t know if it’s a decider for Vipers, all we need is maximum points to move up on the table, Mwebaze told the club’s media.
Against Vipers, their only worry will be the absence of their Captain Andrew Kyambadde, who has been a great pillar in their defence this season.
But the Stars will bank on the fact that they picked up a point at Kitende in the reverse fixture as they seek to stop the Venoms in Kavumba.
Yunus Sentamu scored the only goal last season as Vipers picked a 1-0 win over Bright Stars at the same venue last year.
Stats
Bright are currently 9th on the log with 32 points after 24 games.
They have picked up 2 wins in their last five league games (W2, L1, D2)
For Vipers, they are second with 45 points collected from 23 games.
They have picked up three wins, drawn once and lost one in their last five league games.
Head to Head
2022/23
Bright Stars Vs Vipers…
Vipers 0-0 Bright Stars
2021/22
Vipers 2-1 Bright Stars
Bright Stars 0-1 Vipers SC
2020/21
Bright Stars 0-1 Vipers
Vipers 2-0 Bright Stars
2019/20
Vipers Vs Bright Stars (not played)
Bright Stars 1-3 Vipers
2018/19
Vipers 3-0 Bright Stars
Bright Stars 0-0 Vipers
2017/18
Vipers 3-2 Bright Stars
Bright Stars 0-0 Vipers
2016/17
Bright Stars 0-0 Vipers
Vipers 1-1 Bright Stars
2015/16
Bright Stars 0-1 Vipers
Vipers 1-0 Bright Stars
2014/15
Bright Stars 0-0 Vipers
Vipers 0-0 Bright Stars
2013/14
Vipers 0-0 Bright Stars
Bright Stars 0-1 Vipers
