BUL FC coast into the quarter finals of the Stanbic Uganda Cup at the expense of Onduparaka, putting the Caterpillars to the sword in a ruthless second half that saw the hosts outclassed at Green Light stadium on Wednesday.
Martin Aprem’s cool finish on the 80th minute mark separated the two sides to earn BUL a 1-0 win and through to the last eight.
BUL FC players celebrating Martn’ s goal
It was a tight contest in the first half, with few chances that were far between as both teams finished the game with ten men.
BUL’s Emmanuel Kalyowa was sent off midway the first half for foul play but the 45 minutes gave way to an event full second period dominated by the Eastern Giants who were denied a goal fifteen minutes to time for offside by Ibrahim Nsimbe.
The Eastern Giants however remained tall and a few moments later, Martin Aprem scored the all important goal to break the deadlock.
Onduparaka’s Rashid Okocha was also sent off late in the game for unsporting behavior as BUL cruised to victory.
Next up, is a Uganda premier league away clash with SC Villa for the Eastern Giants on Tuesday in Lira.
BUL FC starting line up against Onduparaka
Starting XI:
Saidi Keni (GK), Walter Ochora, Douglas Muganga, Richard Ayiko, Jerome Kirya, Ibrahim Kazindula, Hillary Onek, Emmanuel Kalyowa, Ivan Wani, Richard Wandyaka, Ibrahim Nsimbe.
Substitutes:
Tom Ikara (GK), Aggrey Madoi, Anthony Mayanja, Vicent Zziwa, Ibrahim Mugulusi, Martin Aprem, Samuel Ssekamatte.
BUL FC will be bidding to book a spot in the quarter finals of the Stanbic Uganda Cup when we visit Onduparaka on Wednesday at the Green Light stadium in Arua.
Former roving full back and ex international – Simeon Masaba is currently in charge of the Eastern Giants on an interim basis, replacing coach Alex Isabirye who was allowed to try his luck at Vipers SC last Saturday when we qualified to this level.
Ibrahim Kazindula in action
There is no getting away from the fact that BUL have endured a wretched start to the second round of the Uganda premier league – not winning any of our three games of the second half of the season but we have flexed our muscles in this competition thus far against all odds.
Hillary Onek ensured the Eastern Giants began the cup defense well when he scored the lone goal at the round of 64 against Sparks SC in Mukono, before we were ordered to play SC Villa twice at the next stage.
In the replay, Ibrahim Nsimbe’s beautiful finish showed the world the force we are as BUL bundled SC Villa in the hand bag again to record another sweeter 1-0 win in the most fashionable way to majestically progress to the round of 16 after the initial victory was annulled by the FUFA Competitions Disciplinary Panel (CDP).
Onduparaka are however at the bottom of the Uganda premier league table and they are at the edge of facing relegation having picked up ten points from their 17 games.
BUL FC players celebrating Ibra Nsimbe’s goal against Villa
But they have been in impressive form in the Cup this season.
They kicked off their cup campaign with a 1-0 win over Packwach Young before picking up a comfortable 2-0 away win over Junior Eagles, with Dominic Abonga and Denis Ojara getting on the score sheet for the Caterpillars in Soroti.
BUL beat Onduparaka 1-0 at FUFA technical centre in the league last year, and this will be fourteenth meeting between the sides in all competitions.
Team News:
Midfielders – George Kasonko and Pascal Ngobi missed the tie against SC Villa and this game has also come too soon for them because of injuries. Meanwhile, Simeon Masaba is left with a big pool of players who are fully fit and committed to deliver when called upon.
Coach’s quotes
“The boys are prepared enough to see that we go through this Stanbic Uganda cup match,” coach Simeon Masaba said.
“It’s a tricky game but we are going to see that we work hard to see that we seal it to the quarter finals.”
“We have to work as a team to motivate players and see that their attitude is good as well because their work rate on the pitch will give us the energy and the win tomorrow.”
Player’s quotes
“We are prepared to win this game,” captain Saidi Keni said.
“Everyone is in the right shape and all the players have been psyched to win tomorrow’s game.”
Midfielder Ibrahim Mugulusi in action.
Head to head
BUL and Onduparaka have met on thirteen occasions in the past. BUL have won six contests, with the Caterpillars winning two and the sides drawing five times.
Match Coverage:
All our social media channels will be very active for everyone to follow as we relay full text coverage during the game, followed by a match report and match highlights.
BUL’s unbeaten run at home in the league has been stopped by URA in a Uganda premier game at FUFA technical center in Njeru.
The Eastern Giants have been nearly invisible – winning eleven games out of fifteen (15) league matches at home before today, with the run stretching back to February 2022 when we lost to Vipers SC at Kyabazinga stadium.
But Ibrahim Dada scored the only goal in the game for the tax collectors as BUL lost on Saturday infront of our own fans to break the record.
Striker Ibrahim Nsimbe sending a life threatening thunderbolt from range
It was arguably a game of two halves and with high intensity which saw the first half ending with the teams going in the break on level terms.
Despite enjoying plenty of possession in the early moments, URA failed to find a way past BUL goalkeeper Saidi Keni.
Their first chance arrived when Derrick Ndahiro appeared to have been tripped by Hillary Onek near the box with the referee awarding them a free kick which Joshua Lubwama managed to float into the area but Alfred Leku was flagged offside before he could pose any threat.
Midway the half, another chance fell to Leku when he beat Douglas Muganga to the ball after a fierce battle on the right side but an extra heavy touch by him was comfortably claimed by Keni before the lanky forward failed to anticipate James Begisa’s low cross moments later.
It took the Eastern Giants until the 18th minute to threaten URA’s goal area as Nafian Alionzi was forced to come off his line to parry away Onek’s cross, while Ibrahim Nsimbe’s yellow card on the stroke of half time was the only other highlight for Isabirye’s side.
BUL however emerged from the break fully charged, dominating proceedings while creating chances but it looked like they had forgotten their scoring boots in the dressing room.
Emmanuel Kalyowa running the show in the midfield as URA’s Saidi Kyeyune looks on in awe
After coach Alex Isabirye called the changes, introducing Emmanuel Kalyowa, Richard Okello, Ibrahim Mugulusi, Innocent Rwothomio and Paul Ssekulima, BUL contained the visitors in their own half for large spells of the second half only that hard luck befell them in the final minutes.
Okello and Kalyowa gave the team rythm while on the front foot as Onek and Obua pulled the strings from the wide areas.
It was not too long until Ibrahim Nsimbe thought he had finally put BUL infront on 51 minutes with a low drive from inside the box off Obua’s delivery but his effort was cancelled for offside.
The striker then hit the side net twice midway the second half while BUL’s penalty claims when the forward was floored inside the area disinterested the referee.
Youthful wing back Hillary Onek takes Saidi Kyeyune on a tour around the turf
Ibrahim Kazindula rattled the bar from range as the Eastern Giants continued to look for a break through which was never to come.
URA meanwhile looked dangerous on the counter with the first warning coming when Keni was forced to spill infront of Saidi Kyeyune but the goalkeeper sprung up swiftly to reclaim the ball from the midfielder’s boots.
The tax collectors eventually bleached BUL’s defense five minutes from time through Ibrahim Dada who scored in an empty net as Keni was beaten following a fast break from Sam Timbe’s men.
This was the first defeat at home for Isabirye’s team in a period of twelve months since February last year.
Focus now turn to the Uganda cup replay with SC Villa the coming weekend at FUFA technical center.
BUL’s starting XI against URA
Starting XI:
Saidi Keni (GK), Douglas Muganga, Walter Ochora, Richard Ayiko, Ibrahim Kazindula, Jerome Kirya, Hillary Onek, Richard Wandyaka, Emmanuel Obua, Ibrahim Nsimbe, Samuel Ssekamatte.
Tom Ikara (GK), Paul Ssekulima, Ibrahim Mugulusi, Emmanuel Kalyowa, Innocent Rwothomio, Richard Okello, Shafik Kwikiriza.
The Eastern Giants host ninth placed URA at FUFA technical center in a Uganda premier league action on Saturday evening.
BUL were denied victory in the reverse fixture when George Ssenkaaba’s last gasp strike for URA cancelled out Jerome Kirya’s first half goal as the sides drew 1-1 at Nakisunga Ssaza grounds in mid-October last year.
Alex Isabirye’s men are however second on the table with 29 points from 16 matches, and they will seek to maintain their nearly faultless run at home when the tax collectors arrive in Njeru.
The two one all draws against KCCA and Blacks Power remain the only dark spots todate in BUL’s awesome showings which have produced six wins in eight home matches this season.
Their encouraging form concedes with the fact that Richard Wandyaka was on target twice against his former side when BUL defeated URA 2-0 at Kyabazinga stadium the previous time the Eastern Giants played host to Sam Timbe’s men almost a year ago.
But the tax collectors have realized a leap in form since the second round started.
Having misfired in seven consecutive matches as the opening half of the season wore on, URA have flexed their muscle to win all their opening two matches of the second round, beating Onduparaka and Express 2-0 and 1-0 respectively.
The results have seen them climb to ninth on the table with 20 points after 16 games.
Team News
The trio of goalkeeper Emmanuel Kalyowa, midfielders – Reagan Kalyowa and Pascal Ngobi missed the trip to UPDF and will continue to sit out this one because of injuries, the coach confirmed.
File photo: Manager Alex Isabirye speaking to the press
BUL were denied a win the last time the teams faced each other by a last minute goal for the tax collectors but Alex Isabirye said this time his men will use the home advantage to deliver the goods.
“It was a one all draw when we played them in the first round and since this time we are at home, we shall try to get the win although we are missing some players.”
“But we have replaced them with other players who can equally do the job.”
“Football is not easy but I see my team improving and getting better every day.”
“All the players know we need the three points and I expect we shall win.”
Midfielder Ibrahim Kazindula said;
“We drew 1-1 with them in the first round at Nakisunga and we are ready for the game tomorrow.”
“We need the maximum points and we expect to win.”
Kazindula is joined by Hillary Onek to celebrate a goal in a recent encounter
Head to Head
This will be the 23rd meeting between the sides in the league since November 2011, with the previous duels ending in three BUL FC wins, 10 URA victories and ten draws
Last four meetings
April 16, 2021
URA FC 3-1 BUL FC
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
Match facts
BUL have won six and drawn twice to pick up 20 points from eight home league matches, the third best home record in the division – only behind KCCA and Vipers.
The fantastic run has stretched our unbeaten home record to 15 league matches, producing eleven wins since early February last year.
The Eastern Giants are also unbeaten in their past three league matches although they have won one game in their last five league outings.
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 draws.
URA have won only two games, having drawn and lost three matches apiece in eight away matches.
But after not picking a win in their final seven matches of the first round, the tax collectors have returned in the second half of the season with full force, winning two games on the bounce without leaking a goal.
Match Officials
Kavuma Vicent will take charge of the match from the center. Mafumu Mustapha and Zziwa Charles to run the lines as the first and second assistant referees in that order. Outeke Daniel will serve as the fourth official, while Ndawula Muhammed will be the referees 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.
Tuesday February 21, 2023 Uganda premier league Bombo military grounds Kick off: 4pm
BUL FC hit the road to face UPDF on Tuesday at Bombo military grounds in the Uganda premier league.
The Eastern Giants are looking to put things right away from home where we have picked just two wins.
In seven league trips, the 5-0 win over Blacks Power in October and the 1-0 triumph against Arua Hill in December last year remain the only victories to date for Alex Isabirye’s side on the road.
BUL FC’s Ayiko Richard in action.
But our good home run has seen us count 28 points from eight wins and four draws to sit second on the log.
Contrastingly, the hosts have not been exciting altogether. Eleven (11) points, as a result of their two wins and five draws, is all they can present from fifteen rounds this campaign.
This has left them in 13th place and praying for good fortunes going forward as they are just two points from the danger zone.
Their Uganda cup journey was also thrown to the ruins by Bunyaruguru United after a 2-1 defeat last Thursday in Rubirizi.
BUL however put in a battling display at home to SC Villa in the cup to record a 1-0 win to progress to the round of 16 and will look to build on that against UPDF.
They will also be encouraged by the good recent record at UPDF, with the Eastern Giants unbeaten in their latest four meetings with the army side.
This clash comes at a moment when the competition between the second and fifth is tight, therefore, winning this match is high on the agenda for BUL to remain in firm control of the second place regardless of the results from the battle between Vipers and Wakiso Giants at St. Mary’s stadium and SC Villa and Onduparaka who play a day later.
Alex Isabirye’s men recorded a 3-1 win at FUFA technical center the last time the side met. Two second half quick fire goals from Karim Ndugwa and Richard Wandyaka set us on the move before Frank Kalanda sealed the win late on while Ibrahim Magandazi scored the consolation for them.
Team News
Douglas Muganga will serve his suspension after accumulating yellow cards.
Three players – George Kasonko, Reagan Kalyowa and Pascal Ngobi sustained injuries in our 1-0 win over SC Villa and manager Alex Isabirye confirmed they join goalkeeper Emmanuel Kalyowa in the treatment room.
Isabirye spoke to club media after the last training and said;
“They are third from the bottom of the table, they need the points and I know they are going to put up a very big fight but we are also looking forward to getting those three points.“
“It will not be easy but we are ready for them and I think we shall win.“
Goalkeeper Saidi Keni said;
“As players, we are prepared for the game against UPDF.”
“They are strong team but basing on our performance in the previous games, we are good to go and every player is ready to give 100%.“
Goal keeper Saidi Keni
Head to Head
P11 W6 D1 L4
Eleven matches have been played between these teams, producing six wins for BUL, four for UPDF and one draw since 2015.
Previous four encounters
April 20, 2021
BUL FC 4-3 UPDF FC
December 23, 2021
UPDF FC 1-1 BUL FC
March 01, 2022
BUL 5-1 UPDF FC
October 8, 2023
BUL FC 3-1 UPDF FC
Match Facts
BUL have won only two of their past seven away matches this campaign, scoring nine goals in return and conceding seven with eight points gathered.
But they are unbeaten in their last four meetings with UPDF, winning three and drawing one, with 13 goals scored and only six conceded in the process.
Injured Kasonko George
This fixture has produced a winner in ten of their past eleven (11) meetings, and 36 goals have been scored across those games, with BUL FC having a lion’s share of 22.
UPDF have won three times in five home league games against BUL since 2015.
However, they have won one, drawn four and lost seven in their previous 12 league matches in the current season.
Match Coverage:
Our social media channels will relay minute to minute text commentary for the fans who will not be able to travel to Bombo. A match report and highlights will follow shortly.
BUL FC will be looking to book their spot in the round of 16 of the Stanbic Uganda Cup when they welcome SC Villa to the FUFA Technical Center on Friday evening.
The Eastern Giants were 1-0 winners over Sparks SC to advance to this stage of the competition, while SC Villa beat Kireka United 6-0 at the Kings Park in the round of 64 to progress.
Ibra Nsimbe battling out against Musana
Both sides met at the quarter final stage where BUL came from a goal down to win 2-1 after extra time in a throbbing clash last season.
Ultimately, they went on to defeat Vipers 3-1 in the final to win the trophy while SC Villa last lifted this cup in 2015 by beating KCCA in a replayed final, and there is no question that Jackson Magera and his men will be taking this competition seriously too.
Coming into this match, BUL and SC Villa drew one all in their previous league engagements against Blacks Power and Gaddafi.
The results left them second and fifth on the league table respectively.
They face off again having last met in October last year in a league duel where BUL had to dig deep to craft the 1-0 victory through Richard Wandyaka’s late strike – which was BUL’s eighth win over the Jogoos in 26 encounters.
Alex Isabirye’s men, who will be playing at a ground they have not lost since the season started, now have to approach this mighty task with grit given that their opponents also have a five game unbeaten run to protect.
Team News
Team manager Alex Isabirye said there is no suspension with in the squad but he confirmed goalkeeper Emmanuel Kalyowa and midfielder Jerome Kirya will miss the game.
Ahead of the game, Isabirye said;
Team manager Alex Isabirye
“We are going to try to do our level best to win the game although it will not be easy.”
BUL played the Jogoos enroute to the final the past season but the manager said this time we are meeting a new looking and a much improved SC Villa side.
“Teams in Uganda Cup especially SC Villa don’t open up and I saw they were so good against Gaddafi in the league on their last outing.”
“When playing in a knock out competition, you play different games and in Stanbic Uganda Cup, you can’t play the same opponents every season.”
“In the current SC Villa, we are meeting a different team from the one we faced last season.”
“I think they were 11th in the league last time and they are currently fifth, they even had a foreign coach. but now they have about six new faces in their team and with two good and experienced new coaches, and they have so far performed extremely well.”
“So, the game will not be the same as last season’s.“
Captain George Kasonko also said;
Captain George Kasonko
“It’s the final match we are having, there will be no any other game if we lose this one. It’s a game we must play to win.“
“This is the opportunity we have to write history again and we are ready for tomorrow.”
Match Coverage:
The game will be live on television but 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.
Friday February 10, 2023 Uganda Premier League FUFA Technical Center Kickoff: 4pm
The Eastern Giants begin the second round of the Startimes Uganda premier league action on Friday with a clash against Blacks Power at the Fufa Technical Center in Njeru. BUL opened our 2022/23 league campaign at the Aki Bua stadium in October last year against the same opponents, and a rampant Alex Isabirye side swept Blacks Power aside with a clinical 5-0 win thanks to goals from Karim Ndugwa, Richard Wandyaka and Jerome Kirya.
BUL FC starting line up that played against Blacks power in first round
The victory set tone for the Eastern Giants’ fantastic run in the opening half of the season as we went on to win seven more games and registered three draws to sit second on the table with 27 points despite losing three matches in the process. But we are set to meet a new looking side as per the fact that Blacks Power have since changed the man in charge and also called changes in the playing staff. Former BUL coach Peter Onen was replaced by Hussein Mbalangu shortly after that hard fall in October, and their new man was backed in the midseason transfer window with ten new signings with former Eastern Giant Abdul Malik Vitalis Tabu also joining them.
Out of the eleven matches in charge, Mbalangu’s side has been victorious just twice and lost five times with four stalemates, meaning they still face hardships in collecting points and have since failed to steer far away from the red zone because their eleven (11) points can only lift them to 12th place on the 15-team log. Their record against the Eastern Giants is awful too.
BUL FC players celebrating after scoring against Blacks power
Striker Karim Ndugwa quit BUL in January. Nevertheless, viable replacements flew in and they will be encouraged by our 100% flashy record against the visitors. The sides come into this match on the back of 1-0 wins which allowed them to progress to the round of 32 in the Uganda cup at the expense of their opponents. Friday’s clash is going to be the fourth meeting between the two teams across all competitions.
Team News
Goalkeeper Emmanuel Kalyowa will sit out this one because of an injury, and remains the only absentee for tomorrow’s game.
Blacks Power under Mbalangu has been a hard nut to cruck however Alex Isabirye said he expects some bit of a challenge but he has prepared his men well and he is also leaning on the home advantage to get the job done. “Despite beating them 5-0 in our first meeting in October, this time we are playing against a team that has a new coach and many new players, therefore, the game will not be the same,” he said on Thursday. “But we are at home and we need to get those three points.” “There are some points we lost in the first round but we need to see that we don’t repeat the same. The weaknesses we had in the first round have been worked on and I think we are now ready to deliver, and I think the players know what is required to stay in the second position on the table.”
Ronald Otti Said;
“Tomorrow’s game is quite a difficult one and it is going to be a hard task since we beat them in the first game. They will come with revenge on their minds.” “We haven’t lost at home this season, with the 1-1 draw against KCCA the only time we have dropped points in our yard. So, maintaining our winning home record is another task we have tomorrow.” “But we have had enough time since we broke off in December and everyone is now ready for the second round.”
Head-to-Head
P3 W3 D0 L0 In the three games the two team have played before, BUL won all of them.
Last three encounters
May 2021 Blacks Power 0-2 BUL FC (Uganda Cup) BUL FC 3-1 Blacks Power (Uganda Cup) October 1, 2022 Blacks Power 0-5 BUL FC
Match facts
BUL have the second-best home record in the league after winning six and drawing one to gather 19 points from a possible 21 in seven home matches. The Eastern Giants have also scored fifteen goals at home and conceded only three, keeping four clean sheets in the process. The run has stretched our unbeaten home record to 14 league matches, producing eleven wins since early February last year. Of the 11 goals in the last three games between the two teams, BUL have ten (10) to their account. Blacks Power have lost all their last three games against BUL, scoring one goal – 2-0 (2021), 3-1 (2021), and 5-0 (2022). They are one of the worst travelers this campaign, having collected only five points from a possible 21 in seven away engagements. They have not won in their last five league games, with their last victory coming against UPDF in November.
Match officials Kasalirwe Lucky has been trusted to oversee this clash from the center. He will be assisted by Okello Lee and Osire Juma as the first and second assistant referees respectively. Naigaga Habiba will be the fourth official while Kubingi Margaret will serve as the referee’s assessor. Serwanga Lwanga Isaa will be the match coordinator.
Match Coverage:
There will be a live coverage of the match on television as well as text commentary of the action via our social media channels. Twitter: @bulfc1
BUL FC start this season’s Uganda cup journey on Monday evening when we visit Sparks Soccer Club for the round of 64 at Kirondo play ground in Mukono.
The Eastern Giants saw off Vipers 3-1 in the final to clinch the title last season and will look to get our title defense off to a positive start.
BUL FC players and officials celebrating after winning Uganda cup last season.
Alex Isabirye’s side will be encouraged by our fantastic league form that produced eight wins and three draws by the end of the first round to sit second on the table with 27 points.
“We are ready for the game although the pitch is not good but we have nothing to do about that because this is something that you can’t avoid in this competition,” manager Alex Isabirye said after the last training.
“We are going to give our level best to win the game although it may not be easy.“
All players are available and in good shape for selection, and they are keen to replicate the league form into this knock out competition.
“I think we have had enough preparations and we are ready to defend the cup,” defender Richard Ayiko said.
Meanwhile, debutants Sparks are plying their trade in the Buganda regional league where they had to go through preliminary rounds to reach this far in the Uganda cup.
Match Coverage:
The game will be on TV and our fans can also follow the action through our social media channels below, with full text coverage during the game, followed by a match report.
We can confirm the capture of Emmanuel Kalyowa from Kyetume FC, with the experienced midfielder signing a two year contract with the Eastern Giants.
Kalyowa has been a regular for the Slaughters, scoring six goals and making seven assists in the past one and a half seasons he has been with the big league side.
Manager Alex with Ema Kalyowa
Team manager Alex Isabirye said;
“Kalyowa is among those players in the country who can work out chances, so we have brought him to help increase our creativity upfront.
In the first round, we were not efficient and effective at creating goal scoring opportunities, some times failing to win and even drawing some games because goals were not coming.”
“So, if he fits into our philosophy well, he will be so useful in that area and this will help us reach our destiny.”
After signing his contract, the midfielder said;
Midfielder Ema Kalyowa
“BUL is a strong and competitive team with great ambitions, and if I blend in well, we shall achieve our goals.“
Despite the fact that he is only 26 years old, Kalyowa comes with significant experience in top flight football after playing for Vipers SC, Express, Tooro United and SC Villa.
There have been plenty of positives in the Eastern Giants 2022/23 campaign so far, and after a run of eight wins in fourteen matches, the hopes of the best of the rest finish is very much alive.
It would not be an overstatement to say it has been a fantastic season for BUL as Alex Isabirye’s second full term in charge sees the Eastern Giants sat second at the halfway point.
Following a fourth place league finish, and success in the Uganda cup last season, further strengthening of the squad was done in the previous transfer window and the expectations are high for the Eastern Giants to better last campaign’s achievements, and they are apparently living up to the expectations to say the least.
But results on the road have been laid under the scan although our good home form put us into the title contention bracket going into the remaining 14 games.
It was a fine start in the opener against new league entrants, and winning 5-0 at Blacks Power catalysed the feel-good vibes amongst everyone at the club, and the 3-1 victory over UPDF that followed saw the Eastern Giants soar up the table, dominating it for close to 49 consecutive days.
The 1-1 draws at URA and Gaddafi failed to wreck our charge at the top as the precious 1-0 win over SC Villa in between them left us with three wins from five to start the campaign although Walter Ochora was red carded in our contest with the Soldier Boys.
Another 1-0 win at Onduparaka kept the spirits high, but a dampening 1-0 defeat at Express antagonized our progress.
As we were still celebrating the 2-0 beating of Busoga United, and the fine home showings patching the cracks on the road, the away form crushed into ruin once again as Bright Stars fetched a 2-0 win at Kavumba recreation grounds.
But our 2-1 triumph at Fufa Technical Center steadied the ship as we edged Wakiso Giants to keep up our push for the top positions.
The long trip to Arua yielded a 1-0 advantage over Arua Hill before KCCA halted our perfect home record as we drew one all at the FTC.
Another tiresome outing away from Jinja ended in defeat as Vipers came from behind to march to a 2-1 win at St. Mary’s stadium.
However, the ultimate chance before the halfway mark came, and the 5-0 win over Maroons at home avenged our previous road collapse.
Fourteen games down, Fourteen to come, and we are second on the table with 27 points out of a possible 42.
As it stands, the Eastern Giants are in no way a write-off, and we can not be put out of the title discussion if we can thread the half term form to the second round.
Leading goal scorers
Thirteen players combined to produce BUL’s twenty four (24) goals; Karim Ndugwa leading with six and Richard Wandyaka following closely at a tally of four. Jerome Kirya, Vicent Zziwa as well as Ibrahim Kazindula have two goals individually.
Frank Kalanda, Ibrahim Nsimbe and Walter Ochora have one goal each, with Martin Aprem, Ronald Otti, Ivan Wani and Hillary Onek also sharing the same record.
Second round
Blacks Power will be the visitors when we begin the second round on February 10 at Fufa Technical Center before a trip to Bombo for a clash with the military side UPDF eleven days later.
