Daily Monitor
Saturday February 13 2021
A point to prove. Balinya might need to get back to his best to avoid a ‘one hit wonder’ tag. Photo | John Batanudde
Summary
Gone south. When Juma Balinya was overlooked for the Fufa Player of the Year in 2018-19 league season, he felt aggrieved and rightly so, but the attacking midfielder has dipped so much in form since then, leaving many wondering what is going on with him.
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Many who have traced Juma Balinya’s path through his early days at the Kampala Kids League (KKL), Old Kampala SS, St Mary’s Kitende and Vipers believe the KCCA forward could or rather should have achieved more given his undoubted talent.
We expect positive results from the tournament ahead of us, we as players are fit and ready for it. We expect positive results from the tournament ahead of us, we as players are fit and ready for it.
The Hippos qualified after reaching the finals of the U20 Cecafa Championship in December 2020, eventually winning the tournament after defeating the hosts Tanzania 4-1.
Uganda will have to battle for a quarter-final berth with hosts Mauritania, Central African heavyweights Cameroon and Mozambique in Group A.
Tanzania, who lost the Cecafa final to Uganda, have been placed in a tough Group C that features Ghana, Gambia and Morocco while Group B has Burkina Faso, Tunisia, Namibia, and the Central African Republic.
“This is going to be a very tough match as far as we are concerned especially that we are going to play away.
“These are two traditional and most successful clubs in Uganda. It is going to be a tough match as the rivalry will always be there between these two clubs and this will be seen on the pitch.”
Mutebi also gave an injury update on players who remain sidelined.
“We do not have Gift Ali, Poloto Julius, Juma Balinya and Moses Aliro. The fixture comes early for Sadat Anaku and Ali but we will see what happens against URA FC.”
Kampala Derby: Kabonge, Ssekiganda fire SC Villa past KCCA FC Goal 15/12/2020 Kiplagat Sang
Record Ugandan Premier League champions Sports Club Villa picked up their second win in the 2020/21 season after beating Kampala Capital City Authority 2-1 at the Bamboo Barracks on Tuesday.
KCCA FC have now seen their unbeaten record come to a grinding halt as goals from Nicholas Kabonge and Ronald Ssekiganda were enough for the
Jogoos to emerge winners of the Kampala Derby, while Brian Aheebwa converted a late penalty for the visitors.
Kabonge scored in the 33rd minute before Ronald Ssekiganda added the second in the 86th minute. The 13-time league champions pulled one back courtesy of Aheebwa three minutes after conceding the second goal.