Pepsi University Football League
Quarter-Finals, First Leg
Friday, 3pm
SLAU vs YMCA, Kavule
St. Lawrence University (SLAU) host YMCA Comprehensive Institute this Friday at the Crown City Campus Kavule along Masaka Road in the First Leg of their 2019 Pepsi University Football League Quarter Final.
The clash comes as a repeat of last year’s semi-final tie which saw SLAU edge YMCA 3-2 on aggregate to progress to the semi-finals where they lost to the two-time champions Kampala University (KU) –the eventual losing finalists.
In the semi-final last year, St. Lawrence won 1-0 away in the First Leg and but had to come from behind to draw 2-2 at home in the dying minutes of the game to edge a resilient YMCA.
As the two sides meet in this year’s quarter-finals, St. Lawrence host the First leg and Coach Nnono Davis Ssozi is confident that this time round, his boys will be more ready to act as the face YMCA.
“We narrowly beat YMCA last year having to come from behind after the boys conceded two quick goals. So we have to be alert at the back as the YMCA is very quick and dangerous on the counter,” Nnono said, adding that: “But we showed great character to still fight and score in the dying minutes of the game. I believe it is what is going to count in this tie; the team that shows great character will go on to win.” YMCA has a new Coach in Bwabye Duncan, who replaced Katwe Allan that joined Kenya Premier League side Sofapaka FC as a defender.
Katwe played for Nkumba University in the Pepsi University Football League from 2013 to 2016.
“Last year we lost narrowly to SLAU. Although we lost at home by one goal, we showed great character to score two goals away despite losing concentration in the last minutes of the game to concede,” Bwabye said.
“This year is going to be a continuation of that game and character. I know that this time round luck will not play a factor,” he added.
The quarter final first leg action continues next week with Bugema University hosting Kyambogo University on Wednesday 11th September while Busitema University will host Uganda Christian University (UCU) on Friday 13th September.
Meanwhile, Makerere University Business School (MUBS) and Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) played to a goalless draw in the first quarter final, first leg fixture played on Wednesday at MUBS, Nakawa grounds.
Both sides missed golden opportunities which left the second leg with a lot to play for.
