Thursday April 3, 2025
Uganda Premier League
Vipers SC Vs Lugazi FC
St. Mary’s Stadium
Kick-off: 7pm.
Lugazi FC is in the Uganda premier league action this Thursday when we travel to St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende to take on Vipers SC (7pm).
Sitting 11th on the table with 26 points after 21 games, the Leaders have to make this visit count as victory would see us leap to 9th place on the log. We come into this clash on the back of two consecutive home defeats, and this is big enough to motivate us to strike hard on Thursday as we look to return to winning ways.
Only three teams have snatched a point from St. Mary’s Stadium this term but this is just background noise because we have previously bagged maximum points while odds were heavily against us.
The Leaders walked to Hamz Stadium in mid-October and defeated a brilliant Express FC then when none backed us to win. We returned to the Lugazi FC Stadium and put NEC FC who was firing on all cylinders to the sword. This is enough to suggest that we can beat anyone from anywhere.
Just two league wins for us on the road this season but Coach Steven Bogere and his men obviously understand the significance of this fixture to the team, and they can’t afford to lose it. A strong fight for the three points is expected from the Leaders.
Vipers SC will also be aiming to return to winning ways after falling to SC Villa almost five days ago.
The hosts were brought down to earth by a determined Jogoos side who ended the Venoms’ run of nine back-to-back victories across all competitions.
However, they remained atop of the log with 49 points after 21 rounds of play.
This is going to be the second competitive meeting between the two teams. The sides drew 0-0 in September last year at the Lugazi FC Stadium.
Team News;
Coach Bogere is spoilt for choice, all players are available for selection and yearning to sting when given the opportunity to play.
Many open chances were missed in our previous games but Assistant coach Gerald Efiti said this has been worked on and the players are set to score again. However, he expects a tough challenge from the hosts but he further said the Leaders will somehow find a way to land a strong jab to bring the victory.
“Our previous results somehow affected us, we lost a lot of chances in that game but we came back to the drawing board and that’s what we have been working on in training.”
“This game is expected to be a bit tight because we all want it. They lost their previous game yet they’re chasing the trophy. And we also don’t want to get embroiled in the relegation battle. So, we are going to do our best to win this game although we expect it to be a bit tough.”
“Our problem has been not scoring enough goals despite creating a lot of chances. However, we have practiced adequately. We have focused so much on scoring goals. All the boys are available and don’t have any pressure – we’re going there for a win.”
Just like the coach, midfield kingpin Ali Bayo also expects Lugazi FC to come out of this battle unscathed.
“We are set to face our opponents on Thursday evening. Fortunately, all players are ready. The coaches have done their part, and we are in good conditions.”
“Our previous game didn’t go well but we came back here, rectified all the mistakes we made in that game, and we expect positive results tomorrow.”
“Vipers SC have brilliant individual players, but for we work as a team and we are ready to utilize that weapon to get the result we want.”
Last three games – Lugazi FC
March 28, 2025
Lugazi FC 0-1 Maroons FC
March 18, 2025
Lugazi FC 0-1 SC Villa (Uganda Cup R16)
March 13, 2025
Mbale Heroes 1-3 Lugazi FC
Last three games – Vipers SC
March 29, 2025
SC Villa 1-0 Vipers SC
March 19, 2025
Vipers SC 3-0 Blacks Power (Uganda Cup R16)
March 14, 2025
Vipers SC 1-0 Wakiso Giants
