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The bout will also present the two most successful sides in the last decade. Vipers and KCCA have managed five and four UPL titles, respectively, over the last ten seasons.
In what has fast become the biggest match of the Uganda Premier League, reigning champions Vipers SC will battle 13-time winners KCCA FC at the St Mary's Stadium, Kitende on Friday.
It's a contest against two big-time archrivals in what will be a tussle of bragging rights rather than the usual title contentions and deciders.
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14:17 - 13.03.2024
UGANDA PREMIER LEAGUE Vipers Vs KCCA Build-up: Revisiting the last five meetings between the two sides
The tie presents two of the country's most successful sides across the past decade, as Vipers have won five league titles, with KCCA on four in that spell. Express FC is the only other team to have a sniff.
The bout will also present the two most successful sides in the last decade. Vipers and KCCA have managed five and four UPL titles, respectively, over the last ten seasons.
Here is Pulse Sports Uganda's combined XI in a 3-5-2 formation.
Goalkeeper: Jack Komakech (Vipers)
Komakech is one of the finest fast-rising shot-stoppers in the league, and while he has managed just 11 appearances so far, he has managed six clean-sheets.
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However, KCCA's Anthony Emojong has exhibited massive improvement over the past few games, and the future is bright.
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12:52 - 13.03.2024
A turnaround as Lumala pumps former side Vipers ahead of contest with KCCA
However, Lumala has displayed a show of support for the Venoms ahead of the St. Mary's Stadium, Kitende bout.
DEFENCE (Obenchan, Mukundane, Mbowa)
Filbert Obenchan (KCCA)
In times when KCCA has struggled with conceding goals, Obenchan has been putting in exemplary shifts. In his 15 games so far, he has chipped in with two goals.
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Hillary Mukundane (Vipers)
His selection will be questioned because of his absence for the majority of the campaign. However, he has come in and stabilized Vipers' defence with ease. When fit (like he is), his selection is a no-brainer.
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Patrick Paul Mbowa (Vipers)
One of the most calm defenders in the league, Mbowa will walk into any team with absolute ease. He has been integral to the Vipers set-up, playing 15 games and accounting for nine clean-sheets.
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08:50 - 14.03.2024
UGANDA PREMIER LEAGUE URA boss David Obua vows to shut down the entire Kitara-Masindi stadium
In facing Kitara FC at the Masindi Stadium, Obua has rallied his team to outcompete the opposition and put down the noise in the stands.
MIDFIELD (Sserunjogi, Mugume, Watambala, Karisa, Achai)
Herbert Achai - LWB - (KCCA)
When fit, Achai is one of the best in his position in the league. In this team, he has been deployed as a left wingback, given the balance he offers in attack and defence. This season, he has played 12 times, ahead of Mustafa Kizza's eight.
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Milton Karisa - RWB - (Vipers)
While he's not having his best season, Karisa has still managed six direct goal involvements (4 goals, 2 assists) in 16 games. He also loves a contest against the big boys, with KCCA as one of his favourite opponents.
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Dating back to the 2017/18 season, the Vipers skipper has scored five league goals against KCCA.
Joel Sserunjogi - (KCCA)
Following a difficult start, Sserunjogi has come to life and made himself one of Abdallah Mubiru's most important players. He has played 90 minutes in the past eight league matches. He had managed 14 overall in the UPL.
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Karim Watambala - (Vipers)
Watambala has been a consistent performer this season, with high-level displays at Vipers. He has missed just one of his team's league games, chipping in two goals and three assists.
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Ashraf Mugume - (KCCA)
Mugume will always bounce back from a slump. His determination, hard work and quality make him a coach's favourite. In 16 games, he has netted five league goals and two assists.
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FORWARDS (Katenga, Sentamu)
Etiene Katenga Openga - (KCCA)
Katenga is a handful for every backline on a good day, given his pace, trickery and ability to switch from left to right. He has, however, scored just thrice with one assist in the league.
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Yunus Sentamu - (Vipers)
Even in his no-so-very-good season, Sentamu makes the cut in the team given his natural ability, history in this fixture and sniff for the big stage.
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This season, he has scored three goals in the league, two in the CAF Champions League and managed four UPL assists.
Honourable Mentions: Bright Anukani (Vipers), Joao Gabriel Estevez Cardoso (KCCA), Fumador Asiwome (Vipers), Allan Okello (Vipers), Joseph Ogwang (KCCA), Mustafa Mujuzi (KCCA).
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19:34 - 13.03.2024
UGANDA PREMIER LEAGUE NEC move a spot up after hard-fought victory over Maroons
The Diehards edged the Prison Warders 2-1 to move to 37 points in 21 games, just three off leaders Kitara FC, who have played a game fewer.
NOTE:
KCCA's Muhammad Shaban, who is the joint-leading scorer in the league, will be out of the tie through suspension after accumulated yellow cards.
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16:29 - 13.03.2024
UGANDA PREMIER LEAGUE Wakiso Giants pile more misery on Express, Mbarara City ruthless against Gaddafi
Meanwhile, for Express, it's now four defeats in the last as many games, as they have drawn and lost one, apiece.
Usama Arafat Kizza (KCCA), Haruna Lukwago (KCCA) and Rogers Torach (Vipers) are away with the Uganda U20 team for the All Africa Games in Ghana.
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