Sunday, March 10
- Blacks Power vs Kataka – Aki Bua Stadium
- Kyetume vs Onduparaka – Nakisunga Ssaza Ground
- Calvary vs Young Elephant – Midigo P/S playground
- Police vs Jinja North United – Kavumba Recreation Ground
- Booma vs Kaaro Karungi – Masindi Stadium
Probable Lineups
Blacks Power Probable XI; Tonny Kyamera (GK), Opio Simon Misaki (C), John Omagor, Rajab Fazil, Omara Joshua, Isaac Okello, Ivan Okello, Dan Otim, Franco Onen, Innocent Maduka, James Okiror
Kataka Probable XI; Solomon Okello (GK), Steven Namaisi (C), Imulla Okello, Hassan Wadenga, Joel Baba, Lazarus Ocira, Herbert Katongole, Swamad Okur, Muhammad Nsereko, Isaac Balyejusa, Latif Ssenkubuge
Preview: Geoffrey Sserunkuma available for Kataka
Kataka’s newly acquired veteran striker Geoffrey Sserunkuma is available for selection against Blacks Power in the FUFA Big League match to be played on Sunday, March 10, 2024 at Aki Bua Stadium, Lira.
There’s no guarantee that the ex Uganda Cranes international striker will play on Sunday, but he’s part of the Kataka team in Lira, and might be given a nod if the coaches deem it necessary.
Unlike Sserunkuma who is just linking up with the team now, Kataka’s other new January signings swung into action immediately after signing with the Mbale-based side.
Double-licensed goalkeeper Chris Nsubuga from Amus has been training with the team, while Isaac Balyejusa and Emma Kulanga from NEC, plus winger Muhammad Nsereko from Gaddafi FC, FC and towering centreback Abdul Rahman from Black Panther FC have all made an immediate impact.
Balyejusa and Rahman scored in the 4-2 loss against Kiyinda Boys, while Kulanga put up such a show and Nsereko assisted the first goal as Kataka beat Kyetume 2-1 in Mbale last week.
In Lira, the team will rely mainly on the creativity of Swamad Okur from the middle, Nsereko’s trickery and the aggressiveness of Balyejusa to get goals upfront.
Blacks Power know they have to be wary of Kataka captain Steven Namaisi’s dangerous long throws, moreso with the presence of Latif Ssenkubuge and Imulla Okello (plus Sserunkuma if he plays) in the opponent’s box.
Only three players – Shakur Mafabi, Nassur Nandala and Junior Zzaake did not travel with the team to Lira, but the rest of the squad is available for selection.
The Blacks Power, Kataka Clash Is Entertainment Unmatched
The last time the two sides met, it was in Mbale in the first round of this season where controversy took over the day as Kataka scored very late to emerge 2-1 winners at home.
That was Kataka’s first win of the season, and it condemned their visitors to their first loss this campaign, after each one of the two teams had played just two games.
Swamad Okur and Latif Ssenkubuge scored the two goals for the hosts, while Mike Siwu (who is still doubtful for today’s encounter) scored the only goal for the visitors then.
In the entertaining match, in which referee Muzamir Waiswa took charge, he awarded a contentious penalty to hosts late in the game, which he later cancelled after a ‘VAR’ review.
Waiswa went to the FUFA TV production van to access a replay of the video of the contested incident to review and establish facts, and his judgement was that there was no penalty!
Bob Obira who was Blacks Power’s assistant coach then was sent off following that scuffle, he’ll be the main man at the technical bench of the home side today.
Kataka still went on to win that match after the referee added seven minutes, and in the sixth, Ssenkubuge notched the winner for the home side, assisted by Namaisi’s long throw-in.
