UFL: KU banking on home advantage to overtake Bugema

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Pepsi University Football League

Results

MRU 1-0 MUBS

SLAU 3-1 MCA

Fixtures

KU vs Gulu (Thursday)

ISBAT vs IUIU (Friday)

Makerere vs Ndejje (Saturday)

UNIK vs Muni (Sunday)

Two-time Pepsi University Football League champions Kampala University (2013, 2016) are eyeing the top spot in Group D as they host third-placed Gulu University on Thursday at Yes Sports Centre, Nsambya.

KU are currently level on six points with group leaders Bugema University but trail on goal difference. A victory would propel them to the summit with nine points, piling pressure on Bugema, who are not in action until next Wednesday when they host Kampala International University (KIU).

KU head coach Vincent Tumusiime, popularly known as Titi Kamara, praised his squad after their hard-fought 1-0 victory in Gulu three months ago. They triumphed despite being reduced to 10 men. Sharif Ssembatya scored the crucial goal in that encounter.

Now playing on home turf, Tumusiime expects his players to match that resilience and determination.

"Winning in Gulu with a man down was not easy, but we did it. If we managed that in hostile conditions, why can’t we do it again at home with our fans behind us? I urge my players to bring the same energy and intensity because we need those three points," he said.

After securing bronze last season with a 2-1 victory over MUBS in the third-place playoff, Kampala University is determined to go all the way this time.

"We should have played in the final last season, but we let our guard down at a crucial moment and got eliminated by eventual winners Nkumba. This time, we are fully prepared. Our target is the final, and we are here to win the title," vowed Tumusiime.

Key players to watch for KU include Tony Ndase, Raymond Lubanga, Vincent Ssaka, and Benjamin Nsubuga, while Gulu University will rely on Derrick Ssenoga, Otim Richard, Rogers Nyeko, and Michael Komakech.

Sitting on four points, Gulu are also eager to boost their quarterfinal qualification hopes with a win.

Their assistant coach Syrus Egesu is keen to make amends after their narrow 1-0 loss in the reverse fixture.

"We did not get the result we wanted last time because of a few costly mistakes. However, we have worked on our weaknesses, both mentally and physically, and we are here for three points," said Egesu.