MATCH PREVIEW: BUL FC VS VIPERS SC

MATCH PREVIEW: BUL FC VS VIPERS SC

Tuesday May 23, 2023.

Uganda Premier League

BUL FC Vs Vipers SC

FTC.

Kick-off: 4pm

Our penultimate game of the Uganda premier league season sees us host Vipers SC at FUFA Technical Centre.

Tuesday will be one of the season’s biggest tests for the Eastern Giants, the match is following a long spell of dry results and it’s the last kick infront of our fans this season.

A win is therefore needed to put a smile on their faces but it’s against one of the title hopefuls who need maximum points in every game they play to keep their dream of a sixth league crown alive.

Fans will also have fond memories for coach Alex Isabirye who return to FUFA technical centre for the first time but in the opposite dug out.

In his two and half years at the club, Isabirye led BUL to a historic fourth place league finish and  two Uganda cup finals (winning one – which was the first silverware ever for the club in its entire history), as well as leading the club to its maiden appearance in the CAF confederations cup before leaving for Vipers in March this year.

And the clash comes at a time when the Eastern Giants are yet to find their stepping stones in the second round, not winning 12 matches in a row since the second half of the season began.

Along that run, Simeon Masaba and his men have drawn seven games and lost five, leaving us ninth with 34 points on the league table.

Our previous meeting ended in defeat for BUL, as Vipers mounted a comeback through Milton Karisa and Cromwell Rwothomio to subdue us at Kitende in December despite Karim Ndugwa giving us an early lead.

The Venoms’ 49 points put them on top of the pile but only because of a superior goal difference over KCCA and SC Villa in second and third respectively after 26 rounds.

Team News

According to assistant coach Dan Kabbale, BUL is not concerned about Vipers’ title aspirations but only concerned about beating the snake out of the visitors.

“Vipers is a big team that is even fighting for the trophy but we don’t want to know, we only want to win the game,” he said.

“BUL is improving every day as a team, and we expect to put up the best performance such that we can get the result we want.”

“To this day in the second round, we are yet to win a game but because the improvement is coming every day, we hope to get the results tomorrow.”

“However, and besides the improvement and progress we are registering, scoring still remains our challenge but we have tried our level best to see that we can score, and we hope for the best.”

Samuel Ssekamatte said;

“It is a big game but we have made so much corrections as strikers. We have tried as much as we can to improve on our shooting skills and the finishing, and I believe heading into tomorrow’s game, the shortcomings will be behind our backs.”

“We believe we shall take up the opportunities and the chances we create so that we can get the goals to win the game.”

“It has been long since we last won but there is still room to correct the wrongs.”

“Fans have been disappointed but tomorrow is our turn to do what we are required of and with their support, we are going to give our best and deliver the best results.”

Head to head

The teams have faced off on 24 occasions in all competitions since 2011, producing three wins for BUL, fifteen for Vipers and six draws.

Last four encounters

January 08, 2022

Vipers SC 1-1 BUL FC

February 09, 2022

BUL FC 1-3 Vipers SC

June 12, 2022 (Uganda cup final)

Vipers SC 1-3 BUL FC

December 17, 2023

Vipers SC 2-1 BUL FC

Match Facts

From a possible 36 points in the second round, BUL have picked seven as a result of seven draws and five defeats in the last 12 games.

After stringing together five consecutive home victories, the Eastern Giants have since won once in their past eight home matches, thrashing Maroons 5-0 in mid December.

However, it’s just one loss for Simeon Masaba’s men in the last five outings, drawing the remainder of the games and keeping clean sheets in two.

BUL’s three victories against the Venoms were far in between as the first was in February 2014 (BUL 2-1 Vipers SC), the second arrived two years later in April 2016 (Vipers SC 0-1 BUL FC) before the unforgettable triumph in Uganda cup followed six years on ( Vipers 1-3 BUL).

It’s therefore nine years since the Eastern Giants won a home league fixture against Vipers, winning 2-1 in February of 2014 at Kakindu stadium.

This fixture has produced a total of 57 goals and BUL have 18 to their name since 2011.

Only six stalemates have come in the games involving the sides, and four were goalless.

Vipers have not lost in their past seven league visits to BUL, winning five and drawing two.

But they have won only four, and lost five times on the road this campaign, collecting 16 points from 13 away matches, with the run producing seven goals and eight leaked.

Their last three away matches have also ended in two defeats and one draw (against relegated Onduparaka), and all that happening without scoring a goal.

Nevertheless, they have the best defensive record in the division so far, as they have conceded 12 goals only in 26 matches.

They have also kept around 16 clean sheets.

Match Coverage

This mouthwatering meeting is live on television and all our social media channels will relay minute to minute text commentary concurrently.

Twitter: @bulfc1

Facebook: Bul Football Club – Jinja

Instagram: bulfc