MATCH PREVIEW: BLACKS POWER VS BUL FC

Saturday October 01, 2022

Uganda Premier League

Akibua Memorial Stadium

Kick off: 2PM

After a feel of continental football and a pre season tournament in Ethiopia, BUL start the Uganda premier league action with a Saturday afternoon clash in Lira.

This will be the first of the five matches in a hectic October as they take on newly promoted side Blacks Power at Akibua Memorial stadium, 2PM before clashes with UPDF, URA, SC Villa and Gaddafi later in the month.

Coming off the back of a fruitful pre season that saw ten new faces through the door, several build up wins and 18 goals scored in the latest four practice matches, the players are hungry to make an impression in the league at the first time of asking, and it remains to be seen how the hosts will approach the super charged Eastern Giants – who are looking well organized than before, and red hot.

In Blacks Power, BUL meet former coaches – Peter Onen and David Kiwanuka, and former defender Mike Kawooya. Blacks Power also retained Mike Siwu and goalkeeper Emmanuel Odong, and fleshened up their squad with the addition of experienced Faisal Muwawu and Baden Mujahid.

Without doubt they may want to pose a threat to the Eastern Giants but this is the game Alex Isabirye’s men want to use as a spring board for a better season, meaning they will be intolerant to anything less than a win.

Team manager Alex Isabirye with part of his technical team

However, the hosts are expected to be keen on letting everyone know that the top tier is where they belong, after not only gaining promotion but winning the Big League last season.

And it being the first of the season for each of the teams, so much will be put on the table, which then promises a cracker of a match and the nation will be focused upon us and Onen’s side to see how the game between the Uganda cup winners and the Big League champions goes.

Team News

Isabirye has a fully-fit squad to choose from this weekend with all players available and in the right shape to engage Blacks Power.

He and the captain shared their thoughts about the contest and they all believe the Eastern Giants can come out tomorrow as victors.

Manager Alex Isabirye:

George Kasonko during training

It’s the first game of the season and I expect it to be a tag of war,” he said.

We dearly want those three points but we need to work for them gallantly if we are to compete this season, at least finishing in the top four positions again.”

Only that we have taken some time without playing in the country but I think the players are ready and they know how much we want the three points.”

We are just from the continent however I won’t say we have now got a lot of experience because the confederations cup and the Uganda premier league are different competitions.”

Meanwhile, it may not be easy. Blacks Power is new in the league and want to start the campaign with three points at home but I think we can win and we kindly ask God to give us a good day.”

Captain George Kasonko:

Blacks Power is new in the league but the players are not,” he said.

They have been around and have been in the league for a quite a long time.

“It being our first match this season, it means a lot to us because we have bigger goals than last season’s.

Therefore starting from tomorrow, every game is very important to us.”

We are prepared, and the coaches have put us in the right conditions for the game.

And playing some matches out side the country has helped us improve. We gained some experiences there and this will help us improve the more going forward.”

Previous Meetings

Blacks Power has been an enjoyable opponent to play for BUL, in May 2021, the Eastern Giants ran out 5-1 winners on aggregate at the round of 32 in the Uganda cup, courtesy of a 2-0 win at the Emokori grounds in the first leg before a 3-1 triumph at Bugembe. Simon Peter Oketch was on the score sheet twice while other goals came from Deogracious Ojok, Joseph Ssemujju and Robert Mukongotya. Mike Siwu scored from the spot to atleast give Blacks Power a consolation to cry on after the thrashing.

Match Officials

Kimbowa Richard will take charge of this fixture. He will be assisted by Mafumu Mustapha and Aweko Kevin with Outeke Daniel on fourth official duty. Rwamuyamba Rose will be the referee assessor and Eron Alal the match general coordinator.

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