URA will be aiming to bounce back to winning ways when they host Maroons under the floodlights at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo, today at 7 pm.
Both sides are desperate for maximum points after faltering in their previous outings.
The Tax Collectors suffered a 2-0 defeat to table leaders Vipers at Kitende in their first game of the second round, while Maroons threw away a late lead to settle for a 1-1 draw against Soltilo Bright Stars at Luzira.
Alex Isabirye’s URA currently sits fifth with 24 points, just one ahead of seventh-placed Maroons.
A win for the visitors would see them leapfrog their hosts in the standings and complete a league double, having edged URA 2-1 in the reverse fixture at Luzira.
Isabirye, aware of the stakes, has called for a strong response from his side despite the absence of key players Joshua Lubwama Leti and Hudu Mulikyi, both serving suspensions.
“We lost the previous game and thus need to react by winning immediately,” Isabirye said. “Though we shall miss two players, we have able replacements who are ready to step up.”
Maroons head coach Muhammad Ssenfuma is equally confident, believing his side can replicate their first-round success over URA.
“The players are in good shape, and we are building on our last result to collect all three points from Nakivubo,” Ssenfuma said.
Maroons will be without Darius Ojok due to injury, but Ssenfuma remains upbeat about his squad’s ability to deliver.
Head-to-head, the last ten meetings between the two sides have seen Maroons win three times, URA twice, with five matches ending in draws.
With the battle for top positions intensifying, both teams will be keen to make a statement under the Nakivubo lights.
