MATCH PREVIEW: BUL FC TRAVEL TO BUSOGA UNITED

Friday March 25

Uganda Premier League

Kick Off: 4PM

The Eastern Giants make the short trip to the city centre to face Busoga United at Kakindu stadium for what will be the third meeting of the sides this season.

We go there on the back of a hard fought 4-3 penalty shoot out victory away to Bright Stars in the round of 16 of Uganda Cup on Tuesday but our hosts come into the game on the back of a 2-0 loss away to table leaders Vipers SC.

BUL has two wins in as many games against Abbey Kikomeko’s side this campaign and that’s something the Eastern Giants will be looking to extend at Kakindu on Tuesday.

BUL FC ran out 5-0 winners in the first league meeting at Kyabazinga stadium in December last year before the two neighbors were paired in Uganda Cup, with the Eastern Giants taking command of the contest with a 3-0 win.

If previous games are anything to go by, this one could be another close encounter.

With the hosts having two wins and a draw from their last four and continually pushing their quest for survival, and BUL very much in the contest for a top four spot, it certainly has the makings of a good game despite Busoga being located in the 13th place on the table, nine positions and 15 points adrift of the Eastern Giants.

Our hosts can only count six wins to their name after drawing three games and losing 12 to collect 21 points.

Whilst Alex Isabirye’s men have put up impressive performances this campaign, with a 4th place and 36 points there to show for their ten wins, six draws and five losses from 21 matches.

This clash represents the 13th meeting between the two Jinja clubs. Victory for BUL FC will draw them level on points with third placed URA.

Team News

Goalkeeper Saidi Keni is the only absentee for tomorrow’s showdown as confirmed by team manager Alex Isabirye. He is still nursing a knee injury. The rest of the players are in the right state to play.

The manager also shared his thoughts about the game.

Team Manager Isabirye:

“We won them 3-0 at Kakindu in Uganda Cup but I expect tomorrow’s game to be different. They are fighting relegation but we also want to finish strongly, either in second or third place.”

“So, the game will not be an easy one but we have been training well, my players are ready and we expect to win this game.”

Simon Peter Oketch expressed the team’s readiness and desire to win the game, stating that, “we are well prepared as players for tomorrow’s game,” and also called upon our fans to flock to Kakindu to cheer on the team.

Last time out

March 22, 2022

Bright Stars 2(3)-2(4) BUL FC

Penalty shoot outs were needed to separate the Eastern Giants from Bright Stars at round of 16 of the Uganda Cup. Karim Ndugwa scored a brace but it was not enough as Derrick Were and Nelson Senkatuka scored for their side to level the game at different intervals in regular time.

On target for BUL FC in the shoot out were Richard Wandyaka, Ibrahim Mugulusi, Ibrahim Kazindula, and Aggrey Madoi. Nelson Senkatuka, Ibrahim Kasinde and Meddie Kyeyune scored for Bright Stars.

Head to Head

P12 W4 D5 L3

This fixture has produced 12 meetings between the two teams in all competitions, resulting into four wins for BUL, three victories for Busoga and five draws.

Previous Meeting

February 25, 2022

Karim Ndugwa’s first half double and Walter Ochora’s last minute goal ensured BUL FC advanced to the round of 16 of the Stambic Uganda Cup in our last meeting with Busoga United.

Richard Ayiko delivered an inviting cross in the box for Ndugwa to head in on 23 minutes, he would score a penalty 14 minutes later to double our lead. Ochora then capitalised on a defensive lapse late on in the second half to score our third and seal the victory. The win earned the Eastern Giants a place in the last 16 of the Uganda Cup.

Last four encounters

December 08, 2020

Busoga United 1-3 BUL FC

April 24, 2021

BUL FC 0-1 Busoga United

December 07, 2021

BUL FC 5-0 Busoga United

February 25, 2022

Busoga United 0-3 BUL FC

Match facts

BUL FC have won three times, drawn four and lost three games in ten (10) away matches.

Isabirye’s men have scored 40 goals this term, 17 of them have come on the road.

The Eastern Giants have lost once in their past five league matches, winning three and drawing the other.

But they haven’t won away from home in the league since the turn of the year, with the last victory coming against Tooro United on December 10, 2021.

And they count only two clean sheets away from home, a 2-0 win over Onduparaka at the end of October last year in the league and the 3-0 Uganda Cup win against Busoga United.

BUL have won their last two meetings with Busoga United, winning 5-0 in December last year and 3-0 in February 2022.

The Eastern Giants have also lost once in their past six visits to Busoga United, winning two and sharing points on three occasions. David Bagoole and Lawrence Tezikya scored for Busoga in their 2-1 win on February 01, 2020. Musa Walangalira got the consolation goal for BUL.

This derby has produced 28 goals since 2016, 17 of them scored by BUL FC.

The ties involving these two teams have produced at least a goal except on two occasions – the barren stalemates of September 2016 and March 2017.

Busoga United have won three, drawn two and lost five home matches this campaign.

But they have lost once in their past four league matches, winning two games, drawing one, and keeping three clean sheets across them

Since turning to Kakindu stadium in February for their home matches, the team has lost only one league game from there.

But they have not found a goal in their last two outings.

Match Officials:

Komakech Charles will be the man in the center. Happy Badru and Aweko Kevin will be his deputies as the first and second assistant referee. Ochom Joseph will serve as the fourth official while Adipo Catherine will act as the referee assessor.

How to Follow

This derby will not be cast live on television but our fans can follow all the action with our text updates on our various media platforms.

Facebook page – BUL Football Club-Jinja

Twitter – @bulfc1