UPL: BUL targets top spot maintenance as they visit Gaddafi

Following their hard fought 1-0 win over SC Villa last Friday, BUL FC now move across the City for the first Jinja derby this term against locals Gaddafi at Kakindu.

The Eastern Giants have three wins from four going into the clash and currently boss the league standings with 10 points.

With ten goals scored, the Eastern Giants boast the best attack so far after four matches.

Recent form has seen Alex Isabirye’s side thrash Blacks Power and UPDF, as well as beating the Jogoos and drawing at URA. Victory at Kakindu will give them the fourth win and extend their unbeaten run to five – a record not achieved before by BUL at the start of a new season.

As for their previous trip to Gaddafi, that came in April 2022, Hillary Onek and Jerome Kirya scored as the Eastern Giants came out 2-0 winners at Gaddafi Arena.

The Soldier Boys are 12th on the table ahead of the tie following two draws and a defeat at SC Villa.

They came from behind through Brian Kalumba to draw 1-1 away to Express last time out after Ibrahim Kayiwa had put the Red Eagles in the lead, but their fighting spirit will be put to the test once again when they face the unforgiving BUL.

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Ibrahim Mugulusi is still recovering from an injury as well as Saidi Keni, while Aggrey Madoi is also down with fever. A couple of youngsters will also miss the game because they are sitting their final exams.

Assistant coach Richard Kasule Bakabulindi and defender Ronald Otti moved to share their thoughts before the clash, with all sounding confident and optimistic.

“There is neither a weak team nor a strong one between BUL and Gaddafi – we are equally at the same level,” Kasule said.

“But we are not on top by chance, it’s by hard work. we think day and night, and put in a lot of efforts to bring a difference in what we do.“

“And we are ready to play.“

“Many people term this match as a derby and I concur with them because we share the same fans and we hail from the same area but this match is just like any other, so, our approach will not be any different,” he added.

BUL is unbeaten in two clashes with their hosts – with one win and a draw.

Of the four goals scored in this fixture, the Eastern Giants have three.

Isabirye’s men have won three games and drawn once, scoring ten goals across the run.

Gaddafi is still winless after three matches, drawing twice and losing once.

Games involving them have seen four goals, but the Soldier Boys count one only to their name.