The Uganda Cup round of 32 kicks off on February 19, following the draws held on Wednesday.
After the round-of-64 picked major scalps including SC Villa, Proline, Lweza and Kirinya-Jinja SS, at least three more Uganda Premier league (UPL) sides will not make it into the last-16 following the match-ups.
Holders Vipers SC have a tricky away fixture against plucky Soana at Kavumba. Although their first round league fixture ended in a 1-0 Vipers win, clashes between the two sides have normally been tightly contested.
And new Soana coach George Lutalo will see this as a big opportunity to lead Soana to its first cup success. However, no coach will be under more pressure to produce in this cup than URA FC’s Kefa Kisala.
With an indifferent season so far in the league, URA, whose last domestic silverware was the 2014 Uganda Cup, have a chance to save their dwindling reputation as a giant side.
But when they take on Frank ‘Video’ Anyau’s stubborn Bul FC, they will have their work cut out. Because Anyau was once URA coach, that is expected to fire him against them.
One would expect that on Kisala’s side too since he was previously Bul FC coach. Police FC’s coach Abdallah Mubiru also found his 2005 champions flirting with relegation.
So, a Cup run would do him and his team’s confidence a world of good, especially after losing the 2015 final to SC Villa as KCCA FC coach. But it will require enormous effort against The Saints, who are coached by Moses Basena.
He, too, is hungry for domestic success having last won the league in 2009 as URA coach.
UGANDA CUP THIRD ROUND
Lungujja Galaxy Vs KCCA FC
Mbarara FC Vs Onduparaka FC
F. Portal Boda Boda Vs Kiwanga
United Express FC Vs Doves All Stars
Bright Stars Vs Baza Holdings
Sadolin FC Vs Agape SS
URAFC Vs BulFC
Thunder FC Vs Kiboga Young
UCU Mbale Vs Kyetume FC
Bright Light Vs Paidha Black
Angels Soana FC Vs SC Vipers
Water FC Vs Booma Young
Police FC Vs The Saints
elly@observer.ug