Interviews - BUL FC

MATCH PREVIEW: BUL FC VS ARUA HILL

Wednesday May 10, 2023

Uganda Premier League

BUL FC VS ARUA HILL

FUFA Technical Centre

Kick-off: 4PM

After eight days of preparations, the Eastern Giants return to action and will hope to return to winning ways following a run of three back to back draws.

Simeon Masaba’s men look to seek a strong finish to the season, with just four games to go, which starts this Wednesday at Arua Hill.

They can be found in position seven on the table with a count of 33 points, four behind their visitors who sit in fourth, and they come into this one after a 0-0 draw at Wakiso Giants, and they are searching for their first win in eleven league matches.

Arua Hill make the trip to FUFA technical centre without victory in any of the three previous meetings between the two teams – with the last fixture coming in December where a goal from Ibrahim Nsimbe was enough to see out a 1-0 win for BUL at Barifa grounds.

But their most recent league outing was a big win, thrashing Express 4-1 in Arua.

Team News

BUL will have to work around the absence of midfielder Emmanuel Kalyowa for this clash due to Malaria, and to this day is the only injured player with the rest of the squad available for selection and ready to compete.

Coach Simeon Masaba said;

“We have prepared our team well and we are ready to play and see that we can get good results against Arua Hill.”

“Some positives were picked from our previous match against Wakiso Giants where we kept a clean sheet. We didn’t score but did not concede either.”

“So we are going to capitalize on that to see that we defend very well and as well score.”

Midfielder Ibrahim Mugulusi said;

“No win for us in the second round so far but we are looking to getting one since we are playing at home.”

“The confidence is high, the goal scoring challenge has been rectified and very soon we shall score in the coming matches. Therefore, fans should come and give us the support.”

Head to Head

P3 W2 D1 L0

The sides have met three times, and BUL have won two and drawn one game.

Last three encounters

December 28, 2021

BUL FC 4-0 Arua Hill

February 16, 2022

Arua Hill 2-2 BUL FC

December 06, 2023

Arua Hill 0-1 BUL FC

Match Facts

It’s 22 points for BUL from a possible 36, as a result of six wins and four draws in twelve home matches.

Since the start of the season, they have lost two games only at home – against URA FC (0-1) and Express (1-2) in March and April respectively.

The games have seen the Eastern Giants score 19 goals at FUFA technical centre with nine leaked.

Still out of the 12 home matches, Masaba’s men have kept five clean sheets

They have scored in almost all but two home matches – against URA (0-1) and Gaddafi FC (0-0).

BUL’s last league victory was however in mid-December against Maroons, and it is now 139 days without a win.

In their past ten matches, they have fetched six draws and four losses but they are unbeaten in their immediate last three games.

They have scored seven goals of the nine involved in their previous three contests with the Arua side.

Arua Hill have registered six losses in their 12 trips this season, winning three only with the other three also ending in draws.

But the Leopards have lost once in their latest six matches where they have recorded three triumphs and two stalemates.

In their last five, goals on their side have failed to come in one only – when they lost 1-0 to Vipers in April.

They have also had a return of six goals in their last two outings – against Onduparaka (2-2) and 4-0 against Express.

Match Coverage

It is live on television; nevertheless, one can follow the action through our social media channels for the minute to minute updates about the game.

Twitter: @bulfc1

Facebook: Bul Football Club – Jinja

Instagram: bulfc

MATCH REPORT: BUL FC 0-1 URA

BUL’s unbeaten run at home in the league has been stopped by URA in a Uganda premier game at FUFA technical center in Njeru.

The Eastern Giants have been nearly invisible – winning eleven games out of fifteen (15) league matches at home before today, with the run stretching back to February 2022 when we lost to Vipers SC at Kyabazinga stadium.

But Ibrahim Dada scored the only goal in the game for the tax collectors as BUL lost on Saturday infront of our own fans to break the record.

***Striker Ibrahim Nsimbe sending a life threatening thunderbolt from range***

It was arguably a game of two halves and with high intensity which saw the first half ending with the teams going in the break on level terms.

Despite enjoying plenty of possession in the early moments, URA failed to find a way past BUL goalkeeper Saidi Keni.

Their first chance arrived when Derrick Ndahiro appeared to have been tripped by Hillary Onek near the box with the referee awarding them a free kick which Joshua Lubwama managed to float into the area but Alfred Leku was flagged offside before he could pose any threat.

Midway the half, another chance fell to Leku when he beat Douglas Muganga to the ball after a fierce battle on the right side but an extra heavy touch by him was comfortably claimed by Keni before the lanky forward failed to anticipate James Begisa’s low cross moments later.

It took the Eastern Giants until the 18th minute to threaten URA’s goal area as Nafian Alionzi was forced to come off his line to parry away Onek’s cross, while Ibrahim Nsimbe’s yellow card on the stroke of half time was the only other highlight for Isabirye’s side.

BUL however emerged from the break fully charged, dominating proceedings while creating chances but it looked like they had forgotten their scoring boots in the dressing room.

***Emmanuel Kalyowa running the show in the midfield as URA’s Saidi Kyeyune looks on in awe***

After coach Alex Isabirye called the changes, introducing Emmanuel Kalyowa, Richard Okello, Ibrahim Mugulusi, Innocent Rwothomio and Paul Ssekulima, BUL contained the visitors in their own half for large spells of the second half only that hard luck befell them in the final minutes.

Okello and Kalyowa gave the team rythm while on the front foot as Onek and Obua pulled the strings from the wide areas.

It was not too long until Ibrahim Nsimbe thought he had finally put BUL infront on 51 minutes with a low drive from inside the box off Obua’s delivery but his effort was cancelled for offside.

The striker then hit the side net twice midway the second half while BUL’s penalty claims when the forward was floored inside the area disinterested the referee.

***Youthful wing back Hillary Onek takes Saidi Kyeyune on a tour around the turf***

Ibrahim Kazindula rattled the bar from range as the Eastern Giants continued to look for a break through which was never to come.

URA meanwhile looked dangerous on the counter with the first warning coming when Keni was forced to spill infront of Saidi Kyeyune but the goalkeeper sprung up swiftly to reclaim the ball from the midfielder’s boots.

The tax collectors eventually bleached BUL’s defense five minutes from time through Ibrahim Dada who scored in an empty net as Keni was beaten following a fast break from Sam Timbe’s men.

This was the first defeat at home for Isabirye’s team in a period of twelve months since February last year.

Focus now turn to the Uganda cup replay with SC Villa the coming weekend at FUFA technical center.

Starting XI:

Saidi Keni (GK), Douglas Muganga, Walter Ochora, Richard Ayiko, Ibrahim Kazindula, Jerome Kirya, Hillary Onek, Richard Wandyaka, Emmanuel Obua, Ibrahim Nsimbe, Samuel Ssekamatte.

Tom Ikara (GK), Paul Ssekulima, Ibrahim Mugulusi, Emmanuel Kalyowa, Innocent Rwothomio, Richard Okello, Shafik Kwikiriza.

MATCH PREVIEW: BUL FC Vs URA FC

Saturday March 4, 2023

Uganda premier league

FUFA Technical Center

Kickoff: 4PM

The Eastern Giants host ninth placed URA at FUFA technical center in a Uganda premier league action on Saturday evening.

BUL were denied victory in the reverse fixture when George Ssenkaaba’s last gasp strike for URA cancelled out Jerome Kirya’s first half goal as the sides drew 1-1 at Nakisunga Ssaza grounds in mid-October last year.

Alex Isabirye’s men are however second on the table with 29 points from 16 matches, and they will seek to maintain their nearly faultless run at home when the tax collectors arrive in Njeru.

The two one all draws against KCCA and Blacks Power remain the only dark spots todate in BUL’s awesome showings which have produced six wins in eight home matches this season.

Their encouraging form concedes with the fact that Richard Wandyaka was on target twice against his former side when BUL defeated URA 2-0 at Kyabazinga stadium the previous time the Eastern Giants played host to Sam Timbe’s men almost a year ago.

But the tax collectors have realized a leap in form since the second round started.

Having misfired in seven consecutive matches as the opening half of the season wore on, URA have flexed their muscle to win all their opening two matches of the second round, beating Onduparaka and Express 2-0 and 1-0 respectively.

The results have seen them climb to ninth on the table with 20 points after 16 games.

Team News

The trio of goalkeeper Emmanuel Kalyowa, midfielders – Reagan Kalyowa and Pascal Ngobi missed the trip to UPDF and will continue to sit out this one because of injuries, the coach confirmed.

File photo: *Manager Alex Isabirye speaking to the press*

BUL were denied a win the last time the teams faced each other by a last minute goal for the tax collectors but Alex Isabirye said this time his men will use the home advantage to deliver the goods.

“It was a one all draw when we played them in the first round and since this time we are at home, we shall try to get the win although we are missing some players.”

“But we have replaced them with other players who can equally do the job.”

“Football is not easy but I see my team improving and getting better every day.”

“All the players know we need the three points and I expect we shall win.”

Midfielder Ibrahim Kazindula said;

“We drew 1-1 with them in the first round at Nakisunga and we are ready for the game tomorrow.”

“We need the maximum points and we expect to win.”

***Kazindula is joined by Hillary Onek to celebrate a goal in a recent encounter***

Head to Head

This will be the 23rd meeting between the sides in the league since November 2011, with the previous duels ending in three BUL FC wins, 10 URA victories and ten draws

Last four meetings

April 16, 2021

URA FC 3-1 BUL FC

November 20, 2021

URA 2-2 BUL FC

April 04, 2022

BUL FC 2-0 URA FC

October 14, 2022

URA 1-1 BUL FC

Match facts

BUL have won six and drawn twice to pick up 20 points from eight home league matches, the third best home record in the division – only behind KCCA and Vipers.

The fantastic run has stretched our unbeaten home record to 15 league matches, producing eleven wins since early February last year.

The Eastern Giants are also unbeaten in their past three league matches although they have won one game in their last five league outings.

BUL’s three wins off URA arrived with clean sheets, the similar scores of 1-0 in April of 2016 and February 2018, and the 2-0 victory in April 2022.

Of the ten stalemates in this fixture, six were one all draws. two were goalless, while the other two were two all draws.

URA have won only two games, having drawn and lost three matches apiece in eight away matches.

But after not picking a win in their final seven matches of the first round, the tax collectors have returned in the second half of the season with full force, winning two games on the bounce without leaking a goal.

Match Officials

Kavuma Vicent will take charge of the match from the center. Mafumu Mustapha and Zziwa Charles to run the lines as the first and second assistant referees in that order. Outeke Daniel will serve as the fourth official, while Ndawula Muhammed will be the referees assessor.

Match Coverage:

The best way to enjoy every bit of this game is to come to FUFA technical center. Meanwhile you can also follow the action through our social media channels below with full text coverage during the game followed by a match report and highlights.

Twitter: @bulfc1

Facebook: Bul Football Club – Jinja

Instagram: Bulfc1

You Tube: BUL FC TV

JOSHUA OKIROR AND SSEKULIMA JOIN BUL FC

BUL is pleased to confirm the signing of Joshua Okiror from Proline FC and Paul Ssekulima from Mbale Heroes on a two-year contract each.

A graduate of the Proline academy, Okiror won two big league titles and a Uganda cup with the senior side in 2019.

While speaking to bulfc.co.ug, the 22-year-old midfielder said;

“I want to get onto the next level and also win the Uganda premier league.”

“BUL is that one big club that is soon winning the league as its apparently in a very good position and I think it will give me the challenge I need as a player.”

Pacy forward Ssekulima scored nine goals and made seven assists for Busoga United last season when they were battling relegation before he moved to Mbale Heroes in the past transfer window.

During the time he played for the Bakhebi in the Eastern regional league, the 24-year-old made a contribution of seven assists and two goals for his side.

Team manager Alex Isabirye said he was excited to add the quality of Okiror and Ssekulima to his squad and is awaiting a good job from them.

“I am still building this team and I need to have a combo of the youths and experienced players here,”

“Joshua is one of the most young, talented and disciplined midfielders in Uganda and when you look at how we play – the style and formation, I think he fits in very well.”

“I am happy he is here and I know he will do a very good job.”

On Ssekulima, he said:

“Paul is still young and can still do a lot in football. There are very many of his age mates here, and if I keep them together for a good time, we shall reach where we want to be.”

“His nine goals last season saved the team he was playing for from the fate of relegation. Therefore, if he can help a team avoid the drop, then he can assist our team to win a trophy or maintain the good position.”

“He is that kind of a player who can follow the instructions and he is here to improve our striking line.”

The coming of the duo will only improve the Eastern Giants who sit second on the league table, while they also beat Sparks SC on Monday to reach the round of 32 of the Stanbic Uganda cup.

Okiror and Ssekulima, Welcome to BUL