By Michael Ainomugisha.
UCU vs. MUBS, 3 p.m.
(First Leg: MUBS 1-1 UCU, Nakawa)
Unlike the previous season, the UCU Cardinals still have an opportunity to advance past the semifinals of the Pepsi University Football League (UFL).
Following a one-all tie in the first-leg match against two-time champion Makerere University Business School (MUBS) in Nakawa, a victory at home would give the Mukono side a huge boost.
The UFL consists of two-leg matches that are played both at home and away. It also includes the away goals rule, which states that for a side to advance to the next round, they must score more goals at home and surrender less.
As a result, UCU still has the advantage after a goal through Geoffrey Gaganga’s away goal in the 65th minute leveled Sudhir Bin Saidi’s tremendous strike in the first half.
UCU has had an amazing unbeaten record against MUBS, with the latest being a 1-1 draw in a in a third-place game that ended in a 4-3 penalty win for the Cardinals.
With just a fixture at halftime, I talked to staunch UCU fans about what they expect from the game this Thursday in Mukono.
“I was somewhat taken aback when MUBS welcomed us to Nakawa; I had assumed they would prevail in that match, but they fell short. I, therefore, predict that UCU will win easily with two goals and that MUBS will only score one goal with overwhelming support at home,” said Cyprian Mutala, a Journalism and Communication Finalist.
“We have the advantage of securing a final slot now that UCU is at home, but it will be a very intense game. I trust in players like Gaganga, Ivan Mutebi, and Isaac Offoyirwoth, so UCU will win 2-0,” said Edonu Emmanuel LLB III.
“The away goals rule gives UCU the advantage, but the fact that MUBS held UCU to a draw indicates that the teams are evenly matched. Nevertheless, home advantage will spur UCU to victory.” previewed Patrick Walubitsa, BBA II
In contrast to a 1-1 tie in Nakawa, Cyprian’s prediction indicates that UCU will have scored more goals at home and given up fewer goals.
This guarantees the Cardinals a spot in the finals as they wait to find out the outcome of the other semi-final match between Nkumba University and Kampala University in Entebbe.