The National Hockey League returns this weekend after a two-week break with a top-of-the-table clash.
Defending champions Wananchi and table leaders Weatherhead will headline the fixtures played at Lugogo Hockey grounds.
Weatherhead comes into this game hoping to reclaim the bragging rights having lost three of their last four meetings.
Steven Jjuuko‘s team edged the first leg of the Uganda Cup 3-2 last year, but they lost the second leg similarly and they also lost both league games.
They will be hoping to recreate their title-winning season (2021) that saw them go unbeaten against the record league winners.
Jjuuko is confident his side is ready for the task and insists that their defeats to Wananchi last year were because of our wanting mental strength.
“The camp is aware of the magnitude of the task ahead of us,” Jjuuko said. “We have been training diligently with some putting in extra personal hours.”
“We know we lost the previous games not on the skill level of our players, but on the mindset. It is what we have been concentrating on.”
Heading into this game, Weatherhead lead the table standings, but that’s just on goal difference as both sides have 15 points.
Wananchi will look to snatch the top position when they take to the field tomorrow and their captain Martin Okello vowed to do so.
“We are aware this game is a do-or-die for both teams because whoever wins will have an upper hand in winning the league.”
“Our players may be a little fatigued due to their respective schools’ engagement, but we plan to field our best team,” he added.
On paper, the tie looks even! Both teams haven’t lost a game this term, and in terms of goals, Wananchi who sit second in the league have scored the most (49).
But, that’s just one more than the table leaders. Weatherhead on the other hand has conceded the least number of goals (1), four less than Wananchi.
In other Saturday games- in the men’s division, fifth-placed Thunder will face eighth-placed Badgers while the bottom-of-the-table affair will see Weatherhead Titans and KHC Originals face off.
On Sunday, City Lions will take on students in Makerere University while KHC will entertain the Rockets.
By: Rose Agwang
Courtesy Photos
