BUL FC welcome KCCA FC to the FUFA technical centre on Saturday afternoon in the Stanbic Uganda Cup quarter finals, with both sides entering the game following convincing wins almost a week ago.
The Eastern Giants who had not won in four outings beat Wakiso Giants 3-0 to get back to winning ways last Saturday.
The victory gave Abbey Kikomeko’s men a life line in the title chase and this cup competition provides a double front on which to fight for a silverware this season.
BUL made it to this stage with three super wins against Simba FC (3-0), Kyambura Rastas (1-0) and Express (4-1 on penalties).
KCCA FC reached the quarter finals thanks to wins over Admin/Bugisu United (2-0), Jinja North United (2-0) and URA FC (1-0) and is yet to concede a goal in the competition.
Both sides exited the cup at this level last season but this time one will have a chance to play in the semi finals.
BUL have already enjoyed success over KCCA this season, beating them 1-0 at FUFA technical centre in September last year before they mustered a goalless draw in February at Lugogo.
But the visitors have recorded five wins in a row from their last five matches, keeping three clean sheets.
Team News
The coach confirmed the club has a clean bill of health and has no single suspension to contend with.
His remarks;
“We played KCCA twice in the league, we won them 1-0 here and then played out a 0-0 draw at Lugogo. But we are now playing them in the Uganda Cup which is a totally different competition,” Abbey Kikomeko said.
“All I know is they’re going to come full force, wanting to qualify for the next level.”
“But we also want to qualify for the semi finals. We lost at the quarter finals last season. This time we want to perform better and if possible, we March up to the finals or even win the trophy.”
“Our target for this edition is nothing short of the trophy. Whatever competition we play in and it has a trophy, it ultimately becomes our target.”
Captain George Kasonko said;
“There are no second chances at this level of the competition. We should handle each game at a time and this moment we are focusing on the game with KCCA.”
“If we are to meet some of the goals for the club this season , we should win it.”
“So we are not just going to play KCCA, but we are looking at beating them.”
BUL FC return to the Uganda Cup action at FUFA technical centre in Njeru on Sunday evening when we host ten time winners Express FC in a round of 16 showdown. It is the first home fixture for the Eastern Giants in this competition this term.
While BUL were held to a 0-0 draw by Maroons in the Uganda premier league the last time out, Alex Isabirye’s troops rejoiced in a 3-1 beating of UPDF on Friday.
The Eastern Giants will however put the stalemate behind them, and head into this Uganda Cup fixture with hopes of making it to the quarter finals, having made it here by knocking Simba (3-0) and Kyambura Rastas (1-0) out in the previous rounds.
Express made it to the last 16 after defeating MYDA 1-0 in the round of 64. Their clash at the round of 32 might have ended 1-1 against Rwenzori Lions, but they did get the job done when it mattered most, winning 8-7 on penalties.
The teams have already thrown jabs against each other this season, albeit in the UPL, with the sides drawing 1-1 in November last year at Wankulukuku where BUL had to die a little to earn a point after two defenders – Banon Tahomera and Walter Ochora were sent off in the second half of the contest.
They equally shared the previous two meetings in Uganda Cup. The first face off was in March 2019 and The Red Eagles won 1-0 in the semi final bout at Wankulukuku before the Eastern Giants revenged in 2021 at the same stage of the competition, with the same score at FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru on course to reaching the first cup final.
Team News
Coach Abby confirmed he will not have Reagan Kalyowa and Douglas Muganga who are out due to injury while Hillary Onek will miss due to accumulated yellow cards.
Express is a top flight team and I believe it will be hard game but we are going to fight tooth and nail to win the game and we storm quarter final.
We are playing our former coach who won stanbic Uganda cup with BUL but right now its me at BUL and I also want to win this same trophy with this team, says Coach Abby
BUL FC look to consolidate their grip at the top of the Uganda premier league on Thursday evening as they make the trip to Bombo military grounds to take on UPDF FC
Highly impressive early-season form sees the Eastern Giants boast with six wins in as many games – their aim now is to preserve the unbeaten run by securing consecutive victories.
The Eastern Giants sit pretty well in the first place on the Uganda premier league log with 18 points having not dropped even a point in six rounds.
Defender Nicholas Mwere in a action.
Abbey Kikomeko’s men convincingly beat Bright Stars, KCCA, Arua Hill, Maroons and SC Villa. They also picked points against a boggy URA side last time out. Therefore, every game is there for the taking for BUL.
In their way however lie a bewildering army side that is eager to get up and running in front of its own fans and is desperate to continue its renaissance.
After losing three consecutive games, UPDF recently drew with Express and beat Busoga United in their immediate last two games.
They currently occupy 12th position in the table with one win, two draws and three defeats from their six games played so far. They come into the encounter with five points, one and two ahead of Wakiso Giants and Bright Stars respectively.
It was a one all draw when the sides last met in April. This will be the 13th meeting between the two teams.
Striker Alex Kitata
TEAM NEWS:
Midfielder Pascal Ngobi will miss the clash after sustaining an injury against URA in the dieing minutes of the game but the rest of the squad are available for selection.
‘‘ UPDF is a strong side, we haven’t won in Bombo in the last 4 outings but we are going there to change those numbers this time. We are building on our current form to get maximum points from Bombo. The boys are in good shape, we have prepared them well and they are ready to deliver tomorrow’’, assistant coach James Magala.
Captain George Kasonko ” Our last six wins are not news anymore everybody knows we won them, our focus now is on tomorrow’s game against UPDF that is very crucial to us and we going to play it as a final . We are in good shape and ready to battle for maximum points. We call upon our fans to come support us tomorrow and promise to get maximum points for them”
Head to Head
P12 W6 D2 L4
Twelve matches have been played between these teams, producing six wins for BUL, four for UPDF and two draws since 2015.
Previous four encounters
December 23, 2021
UPDF FC 1-1 BUL FC
March 01, 2022
BUL 5-1 UPDF FC
October 8, 2022
BUL FC 3-1 UPDF FC
February 21, 2023
UPDF 1-1 BUL FC
BUL FC starting line up against URA
Match Facts
BUL have won all their past six games, including the three away matches this season, scoring ten (10) goals and conceding two in the process with a maximum of 15 points collected.
From the six games, they have managed four clean sheets, against – Bright Stars, KCCA FC, Maroons and URA FC.
Eight of BUL’s ten goals have come in the first half.
The Eastern Giants are unbeaten in the last five meetings with UPDF, winning three matches and drawing two, with 14 goals scored and seven conceded during the same run.
BUL’s last loss to UPDF occurred three years ago when they were defeated by the army side 2-1 in December of 2020. The Eastern Giants’ first half lead through Joseph Ssemujju was overturned by Dickens Okwir’s late double for UPDF.
However, BUL has never won a league match away at UPDF. In six trips to Bombo, the Eastern Giants have drawn two games and lost three but they were beneficiaries of a FUFA Disciplinary Committee Panel’s decision to overturn UPDF’s 1-0 victory over BUL, and awarded three points and three goals to the Eastern Giants after the army team used Sulaiman Majanjalo who was ineligible to play in that game of April 2018.
Injured Pascal Ngobi celebrating with striker Lawrence Tezikya
This fixture has produced a winner in ten of their past twelve (12) meetings, and 38 goals have been scored across the games, with BUL FC having a lion’s share of 23.
The two stalemates in this fixture ended 1-1; and in both, BUL scored first. Musa Esenu’s goal in the 12th minute was cancelled out by Ivan Ahimbisibwe for UPDF in December 2021 while Frank Yiga equalized for the army side after Hillary Onek had put BUL ahead last season in February 2023.
UPDF have won three times in six home league games against BUL since 2015. They won 3-1 in February 2016, 2-0 in February 2017 and 2-1 in December 2021.
This campaign, the hosts have won one game, drawn two and lost three to pick five points from six matches.
And they have failed to win all their three homes games – drew against Express and URA, and lost 0-2 against Wakiso Giants in September.
They have kept two clean sheets so far – against URA FC and Busoga United.
But they have also failed to score in four of their six outings.
They have scored three goals this term and conceded six across all the matches.
Two of their three goals have come in the second half. However, their visitors have conceded one goal only after the break.
Match Coverage:
Our social media channels will relay minute to minute text commentary during play time. A match report and highlights will follow shortly.
The Eastern Giants welcome URA to FUFA Technical Centre on Tuesday in the Uganda premier league, match day six at 4pm (EAT).
Hillary Onek battling for the ball with the opponent
Our winning run was extended to five games following last week’s 2-1 away victory over sixteen time league champions – SC Villa.
It was quite the contrast for URA; they drew 1-1 against Maroons at the prisons grounds. Having got a late lead, the tax collectors were close to bagging all the three points but were denied at last when the home side equalized in added time.
BUL is currently second on the log after enjoying a strong start to the season – with five wins in as many games, beating Bright Stars, KCCA, Arua Hill, Maroons and SC Villa to count 15 points, same as leaders Kitara. Of the five victories, three have come away from home.
Winger Martin Aprem in action
Our most recent encounter came in March 2023 where we lost 1-0 in Njeru.
Heading into the game, three places and six points separate the sides. URA is sixth with nine points after winning only two games.
This will be the 25th meeting between the two teams.
Team News
Striker Joel Madondo missed the SC Villa game due to injury and remains on the sidelines even against URA. The rest of the squad is available and ready for contention.
About tomorrow’s clash, head coach Abbey Kikomeko Bogere said that he expects a tough challenge from the visitors but he echoed BUL plays to win, not to lose and that our current exciting form is not a fluke nor just a one off.
“The good form we are having is not a mere happening, we have fought for it and we shall continue to fight hard to see that we maintain it. The boys are in high gear as every game we play is a final, that is why we’re still unbeaten – we don’t look at losing – we play to win,” he said.
“We won against SC Villa in our last match, a game that wasn’t easy. Now we play URA who drew in their last outing.”
“It is going to be a tough game against us though. We played and even defeated them in the super eight final but this time we are going to play competing for points and I think we are going to put in whatever it takes to get the three points given that we are at home.”
“We shall fight hard to get the points as much as they will also want them.”
BUL FC starting 1X that won against URA in the FUFA super 8 finals
Assistant captain Joel Mutakubwa;
“We know they are not an easy side but we are going to play under instructions and we might use the home advantage because we don’t want to lose any game at home,”
“Basically the players are in good shape and willing to give their best. But we are going to take it like any other game. We have ninety minutes to play for, and with the instructions of the coach, we shall certainly get the maximum points.”
Head to Head
Twenty four (24) matches have been played between the sides in the league since November 2011, with the duels ending in three BUL FC wins, 11 URA victories and ten draws
Last four meetings
November 20, 2021
URA 2-2 BUL FC
April 04, 2022
BUL FC 2-0 URA FC
October 14, 2022
URA 1-1 BUL FC
March 04, 2023
BUL FC 0-1 URA FC
Match facts
BUL have won all their opening five matches this season to collect 15 points, a record only matched by Kitara.
The fantastic run has stretched our unbeaten run to seven league matches, stretching back to last season.
Abbey Kikomeko’s men have scored nine (9) goals at the time; only NEC (10) and Kitara (11) have scored more.
From the past four meetings between the sides, the Eastern Giants have lost only one to URA, the 1-0 home loss in March.
BUL’s three wins off URA arrived with clean sheets, the similar scores of 1-0 in April of 2016 and February 2018, and the 2-0 victory in April 2022.
Of the ten stalemates in this fixture, six were one all draws, two were goalless; while the other two were two all stalemates.
URA has won two games, and drawn three of their five outings, and they are one of the five teams that are still unbeaten.
The tax collectors have also drawn all their three away matches this term – against; UPDF (0-0), Bright Stars (1-1) and Maroons (1-1).
All games involving the visitors this season have not had more than two goals.
Match Officials
Kasalirwe Lucky will take charge of the match from the center. Osire Juma and Kateregga Ashraf to run the lines as the first and second assistant referees in that order. Duula Joshua will serve as the fourth official, while Tomusange Ali will be the referee assessor.
Match Coverage:
The best way to enjoy every bit of this game is to come to FUFA technical center. Meanwhile you can also follow the action through our social media channels below with full text coverage during the game followed by a match report and highlights.
BUL FC has qualified for the FUFA Super Eight final. After a one all stalemate in regular time, The Eastern Giants won 6-5 on penalties on a Monday evening at FUFA Technical Centre.
Joel Mutakubwa marked his debut with a classy and outstanding performance; he was big in between the uprights for BUL as he scored one and saved two SC Villa’s efforts to win it all for the Eastern Giants.
The game closed out the ninety minutes of regulation play with both sides tied 1-1.
The even match-up almost continued into the spot kicks, during which Douglas Muganga missed his shot as SC Villa’s Ronald Ssekiganda and Kenneth Ssemakula saw theirs comfortably saved by Mutakubwa.
Samuel Ssekamatte was the first to plant his into the net for BUL, Benon Tahomera and Ronald Otti also converted with great composure afore to Muganga clipping his out.
Mutakubwa restored hope when he guided the ball beyond his fellow goalkeeper before Lawrence Tezikya and Ibrahim Mugulusi ensured BUL wins.
SC Villa got their goals through Umar Lutalo, Edward Masembe, Hamza Mulambuzi, Patrick Kakande and Hakim Mutebi.
The final score was 6-5
Monday’s match was BUL’s first semi final in this competition, with all the previous attempts ending prematurely.
Our goalkeeper made some big saves, including stopping Patrick Kakande’s stinging hard shot late in the second half. He had already denied Ivan Bogere and Lutalo in the opening stages of the game.
But he was beaten by former Eastern Giant Peter Onzima. The wide man picked a pass from Ivan Bogere to curl beyond his reach.
But the Jogoo’s celebrations were cut short when Ssekamatte sent Meddie Kibirige the wrong way from the penalty mark three minutes to the break after Simon Mukisa fell Reagan Kalyowa in the box.
By midway the second half, the clash became more of an end to end affair as they all looked to throw the final winning jab. Chances were created but they all struggled to finish.
Nicholas Mwere blazed a free kick over the bar, Ssekamatte then skewed another from inside the box as the game wore on.
The final will be played on 3rd September 2023 at a venue that will be communicated in the due course.
Starting XI:
Joel Mutakubwa (GK), Douglas Muganga, Ronald Otti, Walter Ochora, Nicholas Mwere, Ibrahim Kazindula (Ibrahim Mugulusi 56′), George Kasonko, Jerome Kirya (Lawrence Tezikya 72′), Martin Aprem (Joel Madondo 56′), Samuel Sekamatte, Reagan Kalyowa (Benon Tahomera 90+5′)
Unused substitutes:
Saidi Keni (GK), Alex Kitata, Vincent Zziwa, Emmanuel Obua, Shafiq Kwikiriza.
BUL FC teenagers – Richard Okello, Innocent Rwothomio, Julius Baraza and Swabiru Mpasa have signed their first senior contracts with the club.
Striker Innocent Rwothomio during a Juniors league action for BUL FC JT
After showing outstanding performances at the juniors’ side, the quartet were drafted into the first team where they equally impressed last season, and each has now penned a three year contract with the Eastern Giants.
Okello scored thirteen goals in eighteen matches as the junior team qualified for the national juniors’ league championship. Rwothomio bagged twelve in thirteen games. Both featured in six and five first team games respectively.
Mpasa, who plays as midfielder, played one match with the senior team. He scored five goals in seventeen outings for the age group side, while defender Baraza made three appearances at the first team, and seventeen with the under 17 category
BUL Football Club can confirm the signing of Edrine Mukisa Opaala from Busoga United. The attacking midfielder has signed a two year contract with us.
A product of Jinja SS, the 19 year old arrives at the Eastern Giants with a wealth of topflight football in his legs after playing in the Uganda premier league for the past three seasons.
“Opaala is still young and has been playing well, assisting and doing so many things. We thought it was high time he joins a good team like BUL so that he can excel with his talent,” head coach Abbey Kikomeko Bogere said.
“I know his ability, I know the kind of football he plays and the kind of passes he crafts. He will actually add creativity to our midfield.”
“He is a product of Copa Coca Cola schools tournament and majority of these players have excelled, and they have gone as far as playing professional football.”
“So we thought bringing him on board at BUL will be a better achievement for him.”
After signing for the Eastern Giants, Opaala said;
“I am excited to join the BUL family. I thank the management for the opportunity given to me, I am ready to compete.”
Opaala was named the 2019 Copa Coca Cola Most Valuable Player and won the same award in the Busoga Masaza Cup when he was playing for Buzaya County in the 2019 edition.
Alex Kitata has completed the transfer from Gaddafi FC to BUL.
The experienced striker joins the Eastern Giants on a two-year contract to bolster the forward line. He scored eight goals in 26 league appearances for the Soldier Boys last campaign, helping them avoid relegation to finish 11th.
On becoming a BUL player, Kitata said:
“I am thrilled to join one of the best teams in the country. My primary role is to score goals and I believe if we work together as a team, we shall score lots of goals and win more games.”
Head coach Abbey Kikomeko Bogere said:
“As much as I have an experienced forward in Ssekamatte, I wanted to add on another experienced striker, and that is Kitata. I think with the help of the young lads around, and the experience of Ssekamatte and Kitata, we shall get good results.”
“I looked at his experience and the work rate, and he knows where to put the ball.”
“He scored eight goals last season, and where he is now, there are midfielders who can feed him well. And with the playing style we are going to adopt, I think he will give us good goals and I expect much from him.”
A pacey striker and proven goal scorer, Kitata brings huge pile of experience to BUL having played for The Saints, SC Villa, Kitara, UPDF (two spells) in the Uganda Premier League. He also featured for Rwandan side Kiyovu Sports Club on a short stint.
BUL Football Club is pleased to announce the signing of defender Nicholas Mwere.
The 22-year-old left back joins from Busoga United and has signed a three year contract with the Eastern Giants.
Nicholas Mwere (left} has re united with coach Abbey Kikomeko
One of the highly rated young defenders in Uganda, Mwere played for JIPRA in the secondary schools competitions and Kakira Town Council in the lower divisions of Jinja district at a tender age before he moved to Busoga United in 2021 where he played for the last two seasons in the Uganda premier league.
He is bully and a rock solid young player who often frightens strikers.
BUL FC head coach, Abbey Kikomeko Bogere, said:
“When you look at the backline of our team, we had a loophole on the left side. So, I opted for Mwere.”
“I looked at his height, and his work rate. He is a young player and a promising defender.”
“I expect him to become a better defender now that he has joined BUL.”
Nicholas Mwere said:
“I am excited to join BUL FC, the Eastern Giants.”
“BUL is a winning team, they recently won the Uganda cup and I expect to win with them more titles.”
“I will try to defend better as well as attack at the same time to help the team achieve its targets. We are going to work together and win together.”
BUL FC has today parted ways with five more players, including two junior team graduates.
Owen Mukisa (in red) captained BUL FC in a Uganda cup semi final against Express
Paul Ssekulima joined the Eastern Giants in January 2023 but both parties have agreed to end the contract on mutual terms.
Aggrey Madoi is another player set to leave the club. Since 2020, Madoi has been one of the vital pillars at the team, helping BUL reach the first ever Uganda cup final in 2021 before playing a key part as the Eastern Giants won the competition a year later.
Our junior team graduates – Edrine Cavan Mawerere, Herbert Onyango and Owen Mukisa have also left the club. The latter shone to fame when he became the youngest player ever to captain the Eastern Giants and also scored a 26th minute goal against Express to send BUL to the Uganda Cup final in 2021 at FUFA Technical Centre.
We highly appreciate their efforts and commitment to the club; and wish them the best in their future endeavors.
The victory gave Abbey Kikomeko’s men a life line in the title chase and this cup competition provides a double front on which to fight for a silverware this season.
BUL have already enjoyed success over KCCA this season, beating them 1-0 at FUFA technical centre in September last year before they mustered a goalless draw in February at Lugogo.
Express made it to the last 16 after defeating MYDA 1-0 in the round of 64. Their clash at the round of 32 might have ended 1-1 against Rwenzori Lions, but they did get the job done when it mattered most, winning 8-7 on penalties.
Team News
