Andrew Mwanguhya and James Ssekandi
23 June 2011
Seven-time champions KCC will not have asked for better opposition to crown their first ever Super League match at their new Lugogo home ground.
Matia Lule’s side open their 2011/2012 Ecobank Super League campaign against 16-time record champions SC Villa, the highlight of Match-day One’s seven games.
The first round fixtures, released by the Uganda Super League (USL) yesterday, will see champions URA start their title defence against newly promoted Water while 2010 kings Bunnamwaya host Proline. Six-time winners Express open against Police as Uganda Cup holders Simba welcome newcomers Hoima.
The other two games will involve Maroons against Masaka and 2010 Uganda Cup winners Victors hosting Utoda. But most attention will inevitably be at Lugogo where both giants are promising a mouth-watering affair.
More so with the game most likely to be the first Super League match to be televised live on SuperSport as the South African broadcaster begin honouring their five-year Shs12b deal with USL.
Srdjan Zivojnov’s Villa are aware of KCC’s danger at home but are, nonetheless, relishing the challenge.
“That’s a hot one,” said Paul Mukatabala, Zivo’s assistant. “It’s difficult given that KCC will not want to lose at home but we shall be prepared for it. We want to win the trophy this season and to do that, we have to beat the best.” Lule sounded cautious but confident, insisting they want a share of success as well.
“Tough,” he said, “Of course once you mention Villa, everyone turns his head.
“But every team in the league has got to be played, including Villa. This being the first game at our new home ground, it’s a game of history and we will want to win it.”
The 14-team fixtures were released as Fufa and USL are still engaged in an impasse over the number of teams to be promoted. KCC have played their home games at Nakivubo since 1974 when they were promoted to the topflight.
“We are ready to host matches,” Ahmed Kabuye, the KCC manager, said. Their new match venue is the one they have used as a training ground for years even after part of the land was given away to investors.
“The turf measurements are up to Fifa/Caf standards. What is left now is fixing the perimeter fence,” he added.
Sept 9, 2011
Bunnav Proline
Express v Police
Simba v Hoima
KCC v SC Villa
Maroons v Masaka
Victors v Utoda
URA v Water
AllAfrica – All the Time
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