Two struggling sides, Mbale Heroes and Soltilo Bright Stars, clash at Mbale Municipal Stadium in a crucial relegation showdown as both teams seek to salvage their faltering Uganda Premier League (UPL) campaigns.
Rooted at the bottom of the table with five points from nine matches, Mbale Heroes are in dire need of their first win under coach Asaph Mwebaze.
Since his appointment, Mwebaze has overseen five games without a victory, managing only two draws and suffering three defeats.
Pressure is mounting from an impatient home fanbase, and a win today could move the Surgeons within a point of safety.
On the other side, Bright Stars, led by interim coach Ian Mutenda, are also desperate for a turnaround.
Currently sitting 15th with six points, the team showed signs of life when Mutenda guided them to their first win of the season; a 1-0 victory over Kitara.
However, they stumbled in their next fixture, losing 1-0 at home to Maroons.
A victory for the visitors would temporarily lift them out of the relegation zone and into 13th place, overtaking Kitara and Wakiso Giants.
Mutenda, who faces his former coach Mwebaze, acknowledges the challenge ahead.
“We face a team with a coach that knows us inside out, but the game is not about individuals—it’s about the team,” said Mutenda.
However, the tactician is confident that his side will register their second win of the season despite being away from home.
“It will be tough like all matches, but we are here to win against a side that will be buoyed by the home support.”
With just one point separating the two sides, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Mbale Heroes will be hoping to leverage their home advantage to claim a crucial win and climb closer to safety, while Bright Stars aim to build on their recent improvement and escape the relegation zone.
For both teams, this early-season six-pointer could prove pivotal in shaping their fight for survival in the Uganda Premier League.
