KAMPALA: The organisers of the StarTimes Uganda Premier League (SUPL) have adjusted the fixtures to accommodate this weekend’s international break activities in which the senior national team, The Cranes, are involved with a couple of friendly matches in Uzbekistan.
Key among the fixtures affected is the highly-anticipated top-of-the-table clash between KCCA FC and Vipers SC, which was set for this Saturday, March 26.
The game has been postponed to Saturday, April 16, according to the changes released on Thursday by the Uganda Premier League secretariat.
The other games rescheduled include KCCA FC versus Bright Stars FC and Onduparaka FC against Vipers SC that were set to be played on Tuesday, March 29 and Wednesday, March 30 respectively. They have been moved to Tuesday, May 3, 2022.
In a press statement, the Uganda Premier League chief executive officer Benard Bainamani explained the changes: “Pursuant to Article 19 (26) “If a club has three (3) or more players called to the national team, the fixtures involving such a club may be called off three (3)days before and three (3) days after the national team engagement if it is to be played in Uganda and may be called off three (3) days before departure and three (3) days after return from an engagement outside Uganda.”
The Cranes are in Uzbekistan capital, Namangan City, for a four-nation invitational tournament that ends on Wednesday, March 30.
Coach Sredjovic Micho Milutin included 13 home-based players who ply their trade in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League.
Meanwhile, the league resumes Friday, March 25 with some teams that have fewer or no players on the Cranes in action. For instance, Mbarara City host Express FC at Kakyeka stadium in Mbarara while Wakiso Giants entertain Arua-based Onduparaka in Wakiso.
FIXTURES
Friday, March 25 2022
Mbarara City v Express FC, Kakyeka stadium-Mbarara (2:00pm)
Wakiso Giants v Onduparaka FC, Kabaka Kyabaggu Sports stadium-Wakiso (4:00 pm)
Busoga United v BUL FC, Kakindu stadium-Jinja (4:00pm)
Tooro United v Arua Hill, Buhinga stadium-Fort Portal (4:00pm)
Saturday, March 26 2022
Gaddafi FC v Police FC, Gaddafi Arena-Jinja (4:00 pm)
Bright Stars v UPDF FC, Kavumba Recreation ground-Wakiso
Sunday, March 27 2022
URA FC v SC Villa, Arena of Visions-Ndejje University (4:00pm)