Monday, May 4
•URA Vs SC Villa – Nakivubo, 7pm
URA and SC Villa will be looking to revive their seasons when they meet in the first leg of the Uganda Cup semifinal on Monday at Nakivubo.
The winner of this tie will face either Vipers or Kitara in the final, with the prize not only being the trophy and Sh50m in prize money, but more importantly a place in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup.
URA FC head into the clash on the back of a disappointing league campaign, sitting 11th in the 16-team table with just four wins from 26 matches.
They reached this stage after a dramatic comeback against KCCA FC at Nakivubo, overturning a two-goal deficit to progress via penalties. Innocent Kisolo and Ronald Otti scored to cancel out strikes from Saidi Mayanja and Herbert Achayi.
Joseph Ssemujju, Moses Aliro, Ronald Otti and Isma Mugulusi converted their spot kicks, while goalkeeper Muhammad Ssekeba made crucial saves to send the Tax Collectors through.
URA have won the Uganda Cup three times — in 2005, 2011/12 and 2013/14 — and lifting it again would go a long way in salvaging their season, and possibly securing Hussein Mbalangu’s position as head coach.
Mbalangu, who replaced Alex Isabirye midway through the season, will be without Bright Vuni and Innocent Kisolo, both suspended after accumulating two yellow cards in the competition.
Hudu Mulikyi returns to the matchday squad, while Frank Olimi Nyarwa and Abdul Magada remain sidelined.
•Jasper Aheebwa escapes red as Kitara, Vipers share spoils
SC Villa, nine-time winners of the competition, are aiming for a record-equalling 10th title, which would see them level with KCCA and Express FC.
Their last Uganda Cup triumph came in 2015 when they edged KCCA in a dramatic final.
Currently fourth in the league, SC Villa’s slim title hopes suffered a major blow following a 2-0 defeat away to Kitara.
The Jogoos beat URA 3-0 at Kadiba in the first round of the league, before the sides settled for a goalless draw in the return leg at Nakivubo.
Norman Angufindri returns after a long absence due to university commitments. Cyrus Kibande misses out on the matchday squad, while Isaac Mpagi is available for selection.
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