KCCA FC will be taking on Mbarara City in the round of 16 of the Stanbic Uganda Cup at MTN Omondi Stadium Lugogo on Friday as the Kasasiro Boys targets a spot in the quarterfinal of the tournament.
Mbarara City FC is currently playing football in the FUFA Big League after they got relegated from the Uganda Premier League at the end of the 2021/22 season.
They are third on the Big League log with 37 points from 20 games.
This is the first time both KCCA and Mbarara will be facing each other in knockout football.
The last time both sides met in the league, they shared spoils in a one all draw.
KCCA FC are top of the StarTimes Uganda Premier league with 35 points from 16 games.
The Cityzens who are record winners of the Uganda Cup on 10 trophies beat Kataka FC in the round of 32 to qualify to the round of 16.
In the last 10 games between both sides, KCCA FC has won thrice, while Mbarara City FC has won once.
Both sides have shared spoils six times.
KCCA FC has scored 7 goals against Mbarara City FC in the last 10 games while the Ankole Lions have scored 4 goals against the Cityzens.
“We face a stubborn side that has always given us a tough time but then we have done our home work well. This competition is a one way traffic, you either win or you are eliminated from the competition. Each game in the competition is a final.”
“We shall miss Wasswa Geoffrey due to suspension. Atube and Waiswa have each been granted compassionate leave. Poloto and Shaban are ruled out due to injuries but our focus is on the available players who have trained well in the past two weeks and are ready to take their chance,” KCCA FC head coach Morley Byekwaso said.
Denis Iguma and Brian Aheebwa are back in the squad. The pair missed the previous league game against Arua Hill due to fitness issues.
Teenagers Saidi Mayanja and Haruna Lukwago are back in the squad and trained with the team this week. The pair had been away for the AFCON U20 tournament in Egypt.
Muhammad Shaban suffered a calf injury in training and will miss the game against Mbarara City FC.
Julius Poloto suffered a set back in his recovery to full fitness. He will miss the game due to a muscle injury. His return date is unknown.
Rogers Atube and Moses Waiswa have each been granted compassionate leave and will miss the game against the Ankole Lions
Geofrey Wasswa is ruled out due to suspension. The center back was sent off in the cup game against Kampala Junior Team in the round of 64.
John Revita is ruled out for a long term due to knee injury.
