St. Lawrence University (SLAU) will play hosts to Makerere University Business School (MUBS) in the first leg of the second Pepsi University Football League semi-finals at the Kavule grounds on Tuesday.
Either side will be hoping they can assume an early advantage in tomorrow’s tie between two of this year’s title favourites.
SLAU’s head coach, Ssozi Nnono is positive his side can grind out a victory, but he is also wary of the threat his opponent possesses.
“MUBS are ultimately favourites given how they have played throughout the tournament,” said Nnono on Monday.
“They have won all of their games this season and they have a very rich history as far as this competition is concerned so I think we are going to have the game of our lives.”
“But, I am confident that we shall do well. The only time we have met was in our debut season in 2017 and they beat us home and away in the group stages but since that time we have greatly improved and were Runners-Up in the previous edition,” Nnono added.
SLAU have played four successive semi-finals and went all the way to the final in the past edition where they lost to Uganda Christian University, and Nnono feels this is their time.
“We shall be careful as we play them. MUBS are a threat, but ultimately our aim is to lift the trophy this season having been 1st Runners-Up last season and 2nd Runners-Up the season before. It’s going to be a good game and we are looking forward to it.”
Meanwhile, MUBS have not made it to the semi-final stage since 2017 when they lost in the final to Uganda Martyrs University, but head coach Ali Zinda is optimistic of making it past the last four this time round.
“I think our team has been the best in the league so far and we are looking forward to maintaining that. Despite the challenge with the quarter-final, we still have the same energy and I am confident we shall continue with our good results.”
MUBS survived a quarterfinal scare against Kyambogo University. They needed a boardroom decision to sail to the semi-finals after Kyambogo had ejected them on penalties.
The Banda based institute used an impersonator during the second leg with goalkeeper Amir Serugo playing as Andrew Ahebwomugisha.
Photo credit: University League
