FBL:Arua Hills,TooroUnited lead race for direct promotion while relegation battle intensifies | Sbk Sports Mail

With the top flight title race becoming a three horse race with Express FC, URA FC and Vipers SC proving very strong for other title contenders, an appreciation and credit can be made for what the trio are accomplishing but that is for another time.

For now, we are going to take a moment to appreciate the race below them which is a red-hot battle for direct promotion from the StarTimes FUFA Big League to the StarTimes Uganda Premier League, the race is tighter than we’ve seen in a while.Y’all, the StarTimes FUFA Big League is LIT.

Having it mind that two clubs that finish at the top of each group (Rwenzori and Elgon) are promoted directly to the top League (StarTimes Uganda Premier League) while the second and third position Clubs meet each other in the playoff semifinals.

And with 12 matches in the books, one would assume that at least one club from the FUFA Big League has booked their ticket to the StarTimes Uganda Premier League, but that is not the case as multiple teams still have a good chance to earn the direct promotion spot in their respective groups, several others are still in contention for a spot in the playoffs while others are fighting relegation.

For some of these teams like Tooro United and Proline , they are looking to return to the StarTimes Uganda Premier league after a short spell down but for other teams fighting for promotion like Gaddafi and Arua Hills, their fans are hoping to see their beloved clubs crack the top flight for the first time while fans of the relegation threatened sides are praying that their sides survive their respective relegation scares.

All this mayhem makes each match critically important – and therefore tense as hell and the clash between leaders Arua Hills and second-placed Gaddafi today is indubitably the top clash as both teams are firmly challenging for a direct promotion spot in the Elgon group.

Arua Hills could seal an automatic promotion to the StarTimes Uganda Premier League with a win over Gaddafi , but if they fail to beat soldier boys, it could make them to wait until their final game of the season against already relegated side Paidha Black Angels at Barifa.

Both Arua Hills and second-placed Gaddafi know what is at stake ahead of the Wednesday clash and for Arua Hill, a win means direct promotion to the StarTimes Uganda Premier League whilst a win for Gaddafi will improve their chances for direct access to top flight on the final match day.

Arua Hill’s arsenal and prowess speaks through the goals as they’ve scored the highest goals (21) in 12 games and their back line has also conceded the least (7) and has been as solid as an ice block kept in a deep freezer with seven clean sheets recorded, four in the first round and three in the second round.

And though playing away, records don’t suggest Gaddafi an indestructible side at home as they’ve already lost up to three at home but Hussein Mbalangu and his Arua Hill troops shouldn’t take Hassan Zungu’s soldier boys for granted since the leopards threw away the chance to collect it all after allowing the visitors come twice from behind to level matters during their first round fixture in Arua last April.

Gaddafi come into this clash full of confidence following an emphatic 6-2 victory over Paidha Black Angels in their last fixture.They have not shown mercy recently and will want to double their ruthlessness but Arua Hill who are yet to lose a game this will want to ensure that does not happen but will have to do so without former Onduparaka and Mbarara city offensive midfielder Gadaffi Gadinho who didn’t travel because he’s suspended for the game after receiving his third Yellow card during Arua Hill’s 2-0 home win over Calvary.

On the other hand, Tooro United who will be hosting their last two FUFA Big League games at Wankulukuku after shifting from Buhinga Stadium, sit top of the Rwenzori group with 27 points, 4 points above second placed Proline FC after 12 games.

The Edward Golola coached side seem a solid bet to make their way back to the StarTimes Uganda Premier League after a short one-season dip and can earn direct promotion if they manage to win their game versus Luwero United today while they can even be promoted irrespective of their result with Luwero United provided Proline FC lose their game versus Ndejje University.

Away from the competition for direct promotion to the StarTimes Uganda Premier League and going into the last two match days of the season none of the teams in the Rwenzori group will start the day with an ‘R’ next to their name.

However, the probability of both Kigezi Home Boys and Terrazzo and Tiles avoiding going down are pretty far-fetched as the two teams will square off today and the side that will come out victorious will have increased their chances of survival. Whilst Luweero United FC , Ndejje University FC and Water FC will also have to be very careful as any slight mistake in the last two games can make some of them relegated.

On the other hand, its only Paidha Black Angels in the Elgon group that will have ‘R’ (relegated) next to their name while Maroons, Mbale Heroes and Calvary will all be hoping to get positive results in all their remaining games to ensure that they survive relegation.

Maroons FC who are just a point adrift the relegation will host fourth-placed Kataka FC while Calvary Football Club will take on the already relegated Paidha Black Angels and failure to win this match will increase Calvary’s chances of joining Paidha Black Angels in the Regional League next season should Mbale Heroes win their today’s fixture against Black Power.

ABOUT THE FUFA BIG LEAGUE

The FUFA Big League is the second division of Uganda Football League system. Three teams are promoted from Big League to the StarTimes Uganda Premier League.

Two clubs that finish at the top of each group (Rwenzori and Elgon) are promoted directly to the top League (StarTimes Uganda Premier League) while the second and third team from both groups battle for the remaining ticket in the playoff semifinals.