Returning Jackson Mayanja expects tough encounter against Busoga United

KCCA FC players celebrate a goal at the MTN Omondi Stadium

UPL Returning Jackson Mayanja expects tough encounter against Busoga United

Ndyamuhaki J Emanzi 11:59 - 22.05.2023

Table leaders Vipers, KCCA and Villa are all tied on 49 points but separated by goal difference.

KCCA FC head coach Jackson Mayanja is wary of the threat posed by teams in Busoga United’s position this time of the season.

With the league title on the line, Mayanja and KCCA will be looking to get maximum points against the Jinja-based side, but Busoga’s fight to stay in the Startimes Uganda Premier League will be enough motivation to make it a proper contest.

“I want to emphasize the fact that KCCA wants to win the league title,” Mayanja said in the pre-match press conference at MTN Omondi Stadium on Monday.

The former KCCA and Uganda Cranes player is returning from a two-game suspension, and while he was away, his side fluffed the opportunity to go two points clear at the top.

A goalless draw with Express and a 1-0 win over BUL in his absence are the results Mayanja must build on to beat table leaders Vipers and third-placed Villa to the title.

“We want the trophy. As a professional coach, you can’t count yourself out at this moment,” he added.

“We want to win tomorrow’s game and pray that our rivals drop points.

“Busoga are looking to survive, so it will not be an easy game. We have to go believing that we can get three points.”

Busoga are just above the relegation zone, in 13th place and on 27 points, four above Blacks Power with two games to play.

Mayanja was full of praise for Busoga’s style of play: “They play the brand of football that I associate myself with, the passing game.”

“They play some good football, so it will not be an easy game.”

Table leaders Vipers, KCCA and Villa are all tied on 49 points but separated by goal difference.

Alex Isabirye’s charges have the better goal difference, and it looks like whoever blinks in the last two games will kiss the title goodbye.

It remains to be seen if Mayanja’s presence on the touchline will inspire the team to maximum points in the last two games of the campaign.

Having started his tenure with a commanding 4-1 win over rivals Villa, Mayanja won 1-0 away at Gaddafi before drawing 2-2 with Onduparaka.

The last game he took charge of was the 1-0 loss to Vipers, after which he was suspended and fined for comments made towards the referee.