FUFA Big League 2rd Round Fixtures’ Analysis

Mark Twinamatsiko’s promotion mission at The Saints FC will resume on Sunday February 16, when Vurra visit Namboole Stadium as the FUFA Big League second round rolls off.

Saints are fifth in the Rwenzori group on 14 points.

Saints are spending the half-season licking their wounds after their high-profile home defeat of the season, falling to 1-2 to Artland Katale in the later part of the first round, and Twinamatsiko has warned his players they need to be ready for the second-round’s two month 10-game slog.

That will begin against West Nile based Vurra, followed by a trip to Victoria Club California (VCC), bankrolled by Taban Amin in Masindi a week later and then a home meeting with Mutundwe Lions.

Frank Video Anyau’s first game in charge of Baza Holdings will have him at home in Villa Park with a meeting with VCC on Saturday February, 15^th . Anyau took the job last week after running away from cash strapped former Ugandan champions Express FC.

Rwenzori half-season champions Lweza kick off their second-round return away from home to new coach Joseph Mutyaba’s Mutundwe Lions in Lubiri, fourth placed Artland wait until week two to visit Wandegeya and Kumi University head to Namboole on opening day, Thursday February 13^th to face Hope Doves.

The remaining opening-day games feature Soroti Garage at home to Busia United and Gulu University at Ndejje University – plus Kirinya Jinja SS’ hosting of Sadolin Paints. Jinja Municipal and Ngora Freda Carr play-off for Eastern Uganda bragging rights.

As well as Saints’ trip to Masindi, the second weekend includes other intriguing match-ups such as Mbale Heroes’ visit to Elgon group’s highly-fancied leaders Bugembe Sadolin and Rwenshama’s first home game against Kirinya Jinja SS.

As it did last season, on a memorable and breathtaking final match-day, the campaign draws to a close on the opening Thursday in May, 3^rd to Sunday 11^th.

Lweza and Bugembe Sadolin are the favourites to win their groups thus automatic qualification and if that plays out it could come at Uganda Clays Kajjansi and Bugembe Stadium respectively, while Rwenzori playoffs-fancied Saints, Baza Holdings are at home to Ndejje University and away at Buziga Islamic. Mbale Heroes will be at home to Ngora Fred Carr while a Jinja derby between JMC and Kirinya – Jinja SS could have plenty riding on it at Kakindu Stadium.

Wandegeya, hoping that keeper Pilo Seguya and a host of older players can be the men to finally make a decent fist of a promotion attempt, finish with perennial bogey side VCC in Kiteezi, while Mvara are at home in Arua Park Primary School to Gulu University .

Kumi University wrap their season up at Soroti Garagi, Mutundwe host Vurra, Rwenshama and Hope Doves square-up at Ssaza Ground Mityana.

Finally, local football fans will hope the long trips around the country will have a tangible reward attached to it when the play-offs take center stage on 21^st and 22rd May and the finals on the following Saturday – all games at The Saints’ home Namboole.