24 October 2009
Kampala — LIKE most modern football managers, URA FC boss Moses Basena does appreciate the value of a good football psychologist.
Not that he would necessarily consult one himself, but probably for his own URA FC team in solving their psychosomatic problems ahead of fixtures involving URA and 16-time league champions SC Villa.
When Villa claimed the scalps of league champions URA to win the Kakungulu Cup final 2-1 last season, there were insinuations that lady-luck had played such a significant part in Villa's Cup success.
There was also talk that Villa's Cup triumph had a lot to do with the fact that the tax collectors had already won the league and that complacency was always going to creep through.
However, Villa's consecutive Cup success over URA in the inaugural Super Eight tournament (3-2) recently proved one bare fact -that Villa are simply better than the tax collectors.
Not that URA will want to accept that.
The league champions will henceforth want to prove their critics otherwise with a convincing win over a Villa side that has won two of its first season matches.
Today's fixture is one kind of game where URA will be thoroughly tested and will need their experienced players to perform to their very best if they are to revive their season following their shocking 1-0 defeat to Nalubaale in mid-week.
Basena will certainly send his charges out with an ultimatum of denying their opponents access to the ball and dead-ball situations or suffer the consequences.
He will keep faith with the team that turned out against Nalubaale.
The tax collectors will be expected to play a patient game, keeping possession and frustrating their opponents Villa, who will continue to build their attacking play on the youthful shoulders of Simon Sserunkuuma.
In the other games, former Cranes star Hassan Mubiru will be expected to deliver when Express host Boroboro at Wankulukuku Stadium.
With striker Daniel Sserunkuuma injured and likely replacement Francis Jjemba still struggling for fitness, Express will still have to rely on the experienced boots of the veteran striker.
Mubiru had an entire 90 minutes behind his belt against Bunamwaya but could do little to rescue his side that collapsed to a 1-0 defeat in that game.
At Kakindu Stadium, Nalubaale hope to prove that their 2-1 victory over league champions URA was not 'a mere flash in the pan' with another majestic win against Victors.
"That result was meant to motivate this young team. We will definately build on that," Nalubaale coach Mujib Kasule stated.
URA striker Kizza will be marked
Fred Kaweesi
Today
URA FC v SC Villa
Express v Boroboro
Bunamwaya v Police
Arua v Masaka
Iganga v Maji
Firemasters v Hoima
Victors v Nalubaale
Monday
KCC FC v CRO
Kinyara v Simba
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