St. Lawrence will be keen on picking their maiden University Football League title in this edition’s final against former champions Uganda Martyrs at the Omondi Stadium, Lugogo on Saturday.
The Kavule-based side lost the last edition’s final in 2019 to Uganda Christian University, losing 2-0 then.
Deputy coach Fred Bakisura has vowed that his charges are eager and hungry to win their first ever championship.
“It was unfortunate that we lost the final in 2019 but it is pleasing that we have returned to the final for the second straight season,” Bakisura said ahead of the game.
“We have worked hard to reach this level again and winning it is our ultimate target and everyone associated with the team is well aware of that.”
On the other hand, Uganda Martyrs head coach Eric Kisuze noted that their journey to the final has not been a smooth ride but they will be hoping to cap it off with the trophy.
“We have played against tough opponents straight from the group stages and we have managed to maneuver through,” Kisuze stated.
“This gives us too much confidence to approach the final with strength and a winning mentality.”
St. Lawrence eliminated two-time champions Makerere University Business School 5-1 after two legs in the semifinals.
Having won the first leg 2-1 in Kavule, they went ahead and won 3-0 in Nakawa in the second leg.
Meanwhile, Uganda Martyrs ejected defending champions UCU 5-4 in the penalty shootouts after a 1-1 draw on aggregate. Each team won 1-0 in their territory.
Uganda Martyrs and St. Lawrence will be meeting for the third time in the history of the competition.
They met in the 2019 semifinals and drew two-all on aggregate following a one-all draw in the first and second legs.
Before St. Lawrence won the contest 5-3 in the post-match penalties to advance to the final.
As St. Lawrence plays in the final for the second straight time, Uganda Martyrs return after an absence of four years when they defeated MUBS 2-0 in 2017 to win their first and only UFL title to date.
The third and fourth-place playoff between the losing semifinalists UCU and MUBS will act as the curtain-raiser before the final on Saturday.
Photo credit: University League Media
