The FUFA Super 8 holders BUL will begin their title defense against Maroons at St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende on Friday, August 2.
Abbey Kikomeko’s charges were crowned winners of the competition after defeating URA 3-1 on penalties following a goalless draw in normal time at the MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo in September 2023.
That was the Oil Manufacturers’ second trophy in their history added to the Stanbic Uganda Cup won in Masindi in 2022 triumphing over Vipers.
After the first leg of the quarterfinals in Kitende, where Maroons will play as hosts, they will meet again in the second leg at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole on Wednesday, August 7 with BUL playing as the home team.
The 2019 champions Vipers versus last season’s Uganda Cup losing finalists NEC will be the other Kitende bout on Friday, August 2 before the second leg at Lugogo on Tuesday, August 6.
It will be a mouthwatering encounter between Kitara and the 2018 winners KCCA for the first leg at Namboole with the former hosting on Saturday, August 3.
The Royals defeated the Kasasiro Boys home and away last season a fixture that created belief among the former’s fans especially during the 1-0 win at Lugogo where they turned up in large numbers overwhelming their counterparts.
After KCCA faithful showed their unwavering loyalty to the club by turning up in large numbers at Namboole during the test games in the league when they defeated rivals SC Villa 2-0 in May, what can Kitara fans offer in such a big stadium is what everyone is looking forward to.
The Hoima-based outfit fans are expected to turn up big just like they have always done with their team playing at the Masindi Stadium and it will be a good experiment for them given that Namboole will be their home for the CAF Confederation Cup games.
Although for the latter course, majority of the Ugandan football faithful will turn up in favour of the Uganda Cup winners.
Thereafter, this fixture will shift to KCCA’s base in Lugogo for the second leg on Tuesday, August 6.
StarTimes Uganda Premier League champions Villa will face Uganda Cranes Select Team in the final quarterfinal match with the latter hosting the first leg at Namboole on Saturday, August 3 before the return leg on the same grounds with the former hosting this time around on Wednesday, August 7.
Although the Cranes being involved has been received with mixed reactions largely criticism, FUFA insists that it is intended to help players try and break into the senior team for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
On the other hand, the Jogoos will use the opportunity to continue preparations for the CAF Champions League following their elimination from the ongoing CECAFA Kagame Club Championship in Tanzania.
KCCA, Vipers, and BUL are the only three teams that have won this tournament in 2018 for the inaugural season, 2019, and 2023, respectively.
There is a gap between Vipers and BUL triumphs because it was halted by the Coronavirus pandemic.
