BetPawa FUFA Big League
Mbale Heroes vs Lugazi FC
Venue: Mbale Municipal Stadium
Kick Off: 04:00 PM, 1600 EAT
Head Coach Richard Makumbi has implored his Lugazi FC players to focus on the present as the Leaders prepare to build on to last weekend’s victory over Calvary in Saturday’s BetPawa FUFA Big League game against Mbale Heroes.
The boss admitted that him and his coaching staff plus the squad are in a particularly positive mood following the 1-0 victory secured by Abdul Kalanzi’s second half strike.
However, Makumbi explained that he preferred to look forward to huge games coming up in Lugazi’s chase for promotion starting with their crunch clash against the Heroes.
Lugazi take on Asaph Mwebaze’s Mbale Heroes in the BetPawa Premier League tomorrow (Saturday, 30, March 2024) at the Mbale Municipal Stadium, kick off 04:00 PM / 1600 EAT.
Makumbi sat down with the club’s media for his customary pre-match discussion, where he discussed the positives of the game, Mbale’s quality and the combined energy between the players and fans.
“The team is in good shape, and we don’t expect many changes in the team. Though there will be some changes because every game is unique,” Makumbi stated.
“We have looked at them, and obviously they are in the promotion race with us, so it is a very crucial game for both of us, but also, we expect it to be a close one.”
“Mbale Heroes is a good team, quite competitive and them being at home makes it even tougher for us. But we have done our homework as coaches, and we have a plan,” he added.
“So, I want to urge our fans to come and be supportive to their team, and not be critical so much because that can have a bit of a negative impact on the team.”
“But if they rally behind the boys, and we have collected energy for the entire 90 minutes, then we definitely shall have a chance against them,” Makumbi explained.
The Leaders head into the game on the back of a 12-game unbeaten run, that started with a 2-1 home defeat against tomorrow’s opponents last October.
Since then, the boys have put on a run that has seen them win seven games, including that nerve wrenching 1-0 victory over Calvary.
That victory propelled Lugazi to second place, displacing the Heroes who suffered a 2-1 defeat away to Kaaro Karungi on Tuesday.
It means that Mbale return to their Elgon headquarters on the back of successive defeats, after winning four of their previous five games.
Mbale have been quite formidable at home, losing only once this season and have won four of their five games at the Municipal Stadium.
They have also conceded only once during that period, with Police the only other side to have breached their defensive lines, picking up a 4-0 victory in November.
And Lugazi make the trip to Masaba land in impressive away form that gives confidence that they can pick up a result.
Makumbi’s men are the only side in the division yet to lose a game away from home. They have racked up four victories and picked up four draws in the process.