The Uganda Premier League is back for the 2024/25 campaign with KCCA hosting URA in what is expected to be a highly contested season opener at the MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo on Friday evening.
KCCA always begin the season as one of the favourites to win the league that has eluded them for five straight seasons now.
They will be aiming to end the above drought and the Kasasiro Boys could not have asked for a better test.
“We come into the new season with our targets and obligations well known to the technical team, the players and everyone else associated with the club,” KCCA head coach Abdallah Mubiru said in his pre-match interview.
“The players are mentally and physically ready and as I have always said, the league is a marathon but we are to challenge our opponents and it would be a pleasure for us to begin on a high note.”
“I am calling upon the fans of this club to continue rallying behind this team because their presence is always important and crucial to us.”
“They should come out in large numbers and offer the support. We do not want criticism this time around all we need is positive energy and our aim is to offer something positive to them in return,” Mubiru added.
KCCA boosted their squad by signing a couple of new players but the return of Bright Anukani and Derrick Nsibambi stood out.
“It is a norm to strengthen the squad every season and we just did exactly that. We have signed good players with new energies but first of all they need support as they get used to the club,” Mubiru noted.
“They are very exciting players and I believe that they are ready to embark on their new journey and if well guided they will deliver.”
On the other hand, URA is always a highly rated team and the manager they have this time around in Alex Isabirye could make a huge impact on their performance this season.
URA last won the UPL in the 2010/11 season but their new head coach clinched it in the 2022/23 campaign with Vipers.
“I am trying my best to put together a strong team and that does not come overnight,” Isabirye noted in his pre-match remarks.
“We begin with a hard game but we are determined to win and we shall continue taking it a game at a time.”
Like the other teams, URA were also in the market looking to improve their squad and the adding of Uganda Cranes prospect Isma Mugulusi and goalkeeper Derrick Ochan were the biggest acquisitions with the latter set for an immediate face off with his former paymasters.
As KCCA finished fifth last season, the Tax Collectors settled for eighth. Mubiru’s charges won the first leg 3-2 at Lugogo before URA edged them 1-0 in the second leg.
KCCA midfielder Arafat Usama continues on the sidelines and he is the only injury concern for the 13-time UPL champions.
