MATCH PREVIEW: UPDF FC VS BUL FC

BUL football club make a trip to Bombo military grounds this Wednesday to face UPDF FC in Uganda premier league with a return to winning ways on their minds.

Their run of two consecutive victories was not stretched last Friday when they were held to a goalless draw by Bright Stars at Kyabazinga stadium.

Alex Isabirye’s men struggled to make their mark against Bright Stars, but it has still been an excellent campaign to date for the Eastern Giants who have won 6, drawn three and lost two of their 11 matches to pick up 21 points.

A 3-1 loss to KCCA FC in early December is the only time they have failed to get at least a point away from home, and this incredible run of good form altogether has put them in third place, three positions and four points clear of their Wednesday hosts.

UPDF FC have won five, drawn two and lost four of their 11 matches this season to collect 17 points, which has left them in 7th position in the table.

13 points of their 17 have come from home but they have been on a two game winless run in the league heading into this match.

Team News

What they said

Team manager Alex Isabirye:

It will be a turf game because we lost 2-1 to UPDF last season at Bombo but we have prepared very well, players are in a good shape , we have only one suspended player that is Ibrahim Kanzindula and two injured players Hamis Tibiita and Ambrose Kirya the rest are ok and prepared for the game so we shall win the game.

Captain Saidi keni

we have prepared well and mastered all what coaches have taught us to do, and we have corrected the mistakes we made in the last game and therefore we expect to win the game tomorrow.

Last time out.

December 17, 2021

BUL FC 0-0 Bright Stars.

Surely the Eastern Giants were unfortunate not to clinch the three points on the day after Richard Wandyaka missed a penalty before half time in a game that had limited opportunities. The mid fielder’s effort from the penalty spot was saved by goalkeeper Simon Tamale in the 38th minute. The second period as well was a copy of the first half as both teams failed to convert the few available chances in the game and the encounter climaxed in a barren stalemate.

UPDF FC lost 2-1 away to Arua Hill SC on their last outing.

Head to Head

P8 W4 D0 L4

Both teams have met eight times since 2015 without drawing any game. However, there has been four wins for each side.

Previous Meeting

April 20, 2021

BUL FC 4-3 UPDF FC

The last meeting between these sides saw the Eastern Giants disarm UPDF in an exciting affair at Kyabazinga stadium that produced an own goal and two penalties.

Deogracious Ojok put BUL FC ahead as early as the third minute through a penalty kick following a foul on Simon Peter Oketch, and the latter also scored on the 21st minute to give us a two goal cushion.

Ramathan Dudu however scored at the wrong end to reduce the deficit for UPDF before the break, and with just two minutes into the second half, former Eastern Giant – Ezekiel Katende struck the equaliser for the army side barely a minute after replacing Brian Kalumba.

Oketch again turned provider on the hour mark to allow Ojok restore our lead but the visitors were also awarded a penalty five minutes later which Brian Kayanja shot in to equalise again for UPDF.

Fortunately, the day was to be ours as Oketch scored what proved to be the match winner ten minutes from time and the Eastern Giants closed shop until the final whistle for maximum points

Previous four encounters

September 27, 2017

BUL FC 2-0 UPDF FC

April 24, 2018

UPDF FC 0-3 BUL FC

December 12, 2020

UPDF FC 2-1 BUL FC

April 20, 2021

BUL FC 4-3 UPDF FC

Match Facts

This fixture has produced a winner in all the 8 matches since 2015, and 25 goals have been scored across those games, with BUL FC having a lion share of 13.

BUL have lost once in their last 9 matches

Isabirye’s men have won three games and drawn and lost one a piece on the road this term.

The Eastern Giants have conceded 10 goals this season with seven happening from foreign territories.

Only KCCA (12) and Vipers (13) better their 10 points tally from travels this campaign.

They have scored 19 goals in 11 outings,10 have been manufactured away from home.

UPDF FC is the second best side at home, collecting 13 points from a possible 15, only KCCA (15) has collected more than them

The army side has won four home games, and they have scored 8 and conceded only 4 goals across the five home matches.

However, they have lost their last two games – 1-0 and 2-1 to Wakiso Giants and Arua Hill SC respectively.

And they have also won once in four games against sides above them on the table, a 1-0 win over Express in October.

Match Officials

This match will have Madanda Ronald in the center. His first and second assistant will be: Mafumu Mustapha and Magoola Ashraf in that order. Odoi David will be the reserve referee while Nattabi Harriet will serve as their assessor.

Match Coverage

Text updates of the game will run on all our social media platforms. The match report will be available on our website and the match highlights will be uploaded on our YouTube channel later.