51st Stanbic Uganda Cup (Round of 64)
Sunday, 12th January 2025 (All matches kick off at 3:00 PM)
- Garuga Stars Vs BUL – Cherish playground, Garuga
- Young Simba Vs Kitara – Bombo Military Barracks playground
- Red Devo Vs Express – Namasale Technical school playground
Wakiso district fourth division entity Garuga Stars Football Club faces a stern test of character against a seasoned Uganda Premier League BUL Football Club during the round of 64 in the 51st Stanbic Uganda Cup.
After navigating past four clubs during the grueling earlier stages in December 2024, now is the moment of truth for the club stationed three divisions down from the cream of Uganda’s football pyramid.
In fact, BUL is a former winner of the Stanbic Uganda Cup in the 2021-2022 season, beating Vipers in the final played at the Masindi municipal stadium.
Garuga Stars head coach Anthony Arinaitwe is optimistic and vexed in equal measure about facing the Uganda Premier League side.
“This is a big fixture and game for us. The good thing is that we are playing at home. The boys (players) are mentally and physically well prepared. We are facing a higher team in terms of pedigree. Though, we are a fourth division team, we beat three regional teams and are willing to compete up to the finals” Arinaitwe revealed to the media.
Garuga Stars commenced this year’s journey with a brave performance, coming from a goal down to win 2-1 at home win over Kiyinda Young in the first game of the preliminary round.
They won 2-0 away at Free Stars in Mukono, again smiled past Synergy 2-1 away before qualifying to the round of 64 following a hard-fought home 1-0 victory over Kira United.
Garuga Stars will assemble a crop of young talented players as goalkeeper Jackson Kigozi, midfielder Ivan Mugisha, Sirajje Kisekka, Joseph “Kanyanya” Enyabu, David Kakeeto, Bonny Luuta, Juma Rovin Kizito and David “Kamba” Ssekyanzi, among others.
Against BUL, it is comparative advantage for Garuga Stars playing at home on a relative smaller sized albeit all-green ground.
BUL under coaches Abbey Bogere Kikomeko and Ibrahim Kirya will leave nothing to chance.
They are expected to field a strong team with a collection of star players as the Ibrahim duo of Orit and Mugulusi, Jeromy Kirya, Isaac Wagoina, Pascal Ngobi, Fesali Najib, Yafeesi Mubiru, Mustafa Anwari Ntege, Swabiru Mpasa, Lawrence Tezikya, Benon Tahomera, Dickson Mataama, Reagan Kalyowa as well as others.
First choice goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa, left back Nicholas Mwere and kingpin defender Walter Ochora are currently training with the Uganda Cranes chan team as they remain doubtful for the game, unless otherwise released on time.
Meanwhile, three time Uganda Cup champions Vipers booked their berth at the round of 32 alongside last year’s losing finalists NEC and Pakwach Young Stars.
Vipers Sports Club scored a late winner to defeat Tepa 2-1 at the Aloysius Core PTC ground in Ngora on Friday, 10th January 2025.
Defender Livingstone Mulondo scored a rare double for the visitors during the cracker played under heavy rains.
Simon Peter Olupot got the consolation for Tepa.
At the Mbale City stadium, NEC Football Club recorded a comprehensive 4-0 victory on the road over UCU Mbale football club.
Emmanuel Ajo, James Jarieko, Allan Mugalu and Dickson Niwamanya were on target for Hussein Mbalangu’s coached side.
Elsewhere, Pakwach Young Stars bundled out FUFA Big League entity Kigezi Home Boyz 3-0 at the St Mary’s Omach ground.
The winner of the Stanbic Uganda Cup qualifies to represent the country at the CAF Confederation Cup.
Friday, 10th January 2025:
- Tepa 1-2 Vipers
- UCU Mbale 0-4 NEC
- Pakwach Young Stars 3-0 Kigezi Homeboyz
The post Garuga Stars’ head coach Arinaitwe anticipates a tough home test against BUL in round of 64 | 51st Stanbic Uganda Cup appeared first on Kawowo Sports.
