MATCH PREVIEW: BUL FC VS BRIGHT STARS

Wednesday February 7, 2024

Uganda Premier League

BUL FC VS Bright Stars

FUFA Technical Centre

Kick-off: 4pm

BUL FC will be required to dig in to return to winnings ways on Wednesday evening when they welcome nemesis Bright Stars to the FUFA technical centre.

Despite accumulating a three game run without victory for the first time this season, the Eastern Giants continue to boss the league table proceedings but they need to build the steam again if they are to remain at the summit.

Abbey Kikomeko’s side goes into the clash on the back of a 0-0 draw against KCCA last time out, while Bright Stars claimed a 1-0 triumph over Wakiso Giants.

As things stand, eight places and 13 points separate the teams. BUL counts 34 points in the first place on the log in respect to their ten wins, four draws and two losses from 16 games. The visitors can however only be found in a distant 9th position given that their five wins, six draws and five losses can only produce 21 points.

The reverse fixture went BUL’s way as they won 1-0 at Kavumba recreation grounds in September last year courtesy of Lawrence Tezikya’s solitary goal, and they will be optimistic even this time because the visitors have been quiet away from home all throughout.

Wednesday’s bout is the 23rd battle between the two teams since 2013.

Team News

Long term absentee Pascal Ngobi continues to undergo rehabilitation, so he misses this one too.

Lawrence Tezikya was cautioned last time out and is suspended due to card accumulation.

Douglas Muganga and Martin Aprem picked up injuries as well but the rest of the players are available and ready to play.

Abbey Kikomeko has given his pre match thoughts ahead of BUL’s clash with Bright Stars at the FTC on Wednesday.

“We come into this game knowing that Bright Stars has given us hard times in the previous campaigns. We drew 2-2 the last time we played home against them but we beat them 1-0 at the start of this season,” he said.

“We now meet knowing they are coming to challenge us given that they even won their last game. However, since we are at home and on top of the table, we cannot afford to lose the opportunity of the three points.”

“We shall put in everything possible to win the game. The boys are in good shape, the mood and character is also high, so we expect to win tomorrow.”

Midfielder Ibrahim Mugulusi said:

”Everyone knows Bright Stars is a stubborn team and very difficult to beat but according to the homework we have done with the coaches, we are very prepared and eager to finish the job. We don’t want to bottle up, we need to win and maintain our position at the top.”

Head to Head

P22 W5 D7 L10

The Eastern Giants have faced Bright Stars on 22 occasions since 2013, producing five wins for BUL and ten victories for Bright Stars, with the other seven ending in draws.

Last four meetings

March 22, 2022

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

November 29, 2022

Bright Stars 2-0 BUL FC

April 29, 2023

BUL FC 2-2 Bright Stars

September 15, 2023

Bright Stars 0-1 BUL FC

Match Facts

  • BUL have won five games and drawn two, amassing 17 points from a possible 21 in seven home matches.
  • The Eastern Giants are also unbeaten in ten home matches – stretching back to April last year. They have recorded five wins and five draws along the streak.
  • Out of the seven clean sheets they have managed this term, four have come at FUFA technical centre – against KCCA FC, Maroons, URA and Busoga United.
  • At home, BUL has scored ten goals and conceded only three, and this was against Kitara, NEC and Mbarara City.
  • It is only one defeat for BUL in their past nine matches, failing to score in only the 0-0 draw against KCCA.
  • Altogether, they have lost two games in 16 matches at the present but all the defeats were away from home – the 2-0 defeat at UPDF in November 2023 and the 2-1 loss at Gaddafi FC last month.
  • This fixture has produced 41 goals since 2013, with the Eastern Giants netting 18 times.
  • The ties involving the sides have produced at least a goal except on three occasions – the barren draws of 2014, March 2016 and December 2021.
  • But in the previous ten home matches against Bright Stars, the Eastern Giants registered only two victories over their visitors – (3-0 in April 2015 and 2-0 in March 2017), losing and drawing four in equal shares.
  • Bright Stars is however among the sides yet to win an away match this season as they have drawn four and lost three of their seven away games, gathering four points from a possible 21. They have also scored only five goals and conceded eleven across the matches.
  • Their winless streak on the road now stands at 11 games, with their last away league victory coming in mid-April last year against Onduparaka.
  • Nonetheless, they have won three of their immediate last five games, drawing and losing one apiece – with the defeat coming against Kitara.
  • But they have kept just three clean sheets in 16 games – against Maroons, NEC and Wakiso Giants.

Match Coverage

The game is live on TV but for the best live experience, all fans should flock to FUFA technical centre, they can alternatively follow the action through our social media channels below – with full text coverage during the game, followed by a match report.
Twitter: @bulfc1
Facebook: Bul Football Club – Jinja
Instagram: bulfc
YouTube: BUL FC TV