It will not be business as usual on Thursday in Paidha town when the natives continue their progressive journey to elite football against Onduparaka FC from Arua town.
The two teams have recently built a strong rivalry in between them and has been labelled as one of the, if not the biggest derby in the Second division- ‘The West Nile Derby’.
Paidha registered mixed results in their last trip to Kampala where they hammered Kira Young 4-1 before falling 3-2 to Ndejje university. On the other hand, their eternal nemesis Onduparaka FC are on a blistering form sitting on top of Elgon group with 38points from 17.
Head-to-head
The two sides have clashed five times with the first 2 coming in 2013 which ended 1-1 in January and Paidha winning 3-1 in the Easter cup. By then Paidha was in 3rd while Onduparaka were in 4th division.
Last year, Onduparaka defeated their hosts, 1-0 and 2-0 home and away in build ups and then 2-1 in league first leg at Bar Okoro.
Coaches stunts
Hosts coach Dudu says,”The team is read and Iam confident of a win though my boys have to be cautious. This is our fortress!.”
Paidha have not lost a home league game this season winning six and a 1-1 draw against Bukedea Fc. The last at home was a thorough 3-0 thumping of fellow promotion contenders Sporting United.
The caterpillars have the best away record in their group with five away wins perhaps the reason coach Allan Kabonge is upbeat.
‘’It’s an away game, usually big league coaches pack the bus in away games but we going to attack on high speed constantly for 90 plus minutes coz that’s our philosophy ,besides my boys will not be intimidated by noisy zombo fans ,we are used to such fans and atmosphere.‘’
Players to watch
The sides formed a core of the West Nile select side that brought down Uganda cranes over a week ago with the Arua side dominating plus providing the scorer; Ceasar Olega
Team news
Paidha will miss services of Abdumelik Vitalis Tabu who won’t be allowed to face parent team since he is on loan, Pithua floribert Thaumbe and Stephen Berochan are also out with groin and hip injuries respectively.
The caterpillars have been boosted by the return of playmaker Gadaffi Gadino from a hamstring injury that kept him out of the 2-0 win against baza-holding. He has registered 9 assists with 4 goals to his name. Also back is Uganda U20 striker Mohamed shabaan and Ceasar Olega(scored against Cranes). Shaban sustained a head cut against Baza while Olega suffered a knock in training.
Possible lineups
Paidha Black Angels:
Emmanuel Rubangakene, Jerry Adebo, Joel Mundua, Odagui Khalid, Sabir Nesta Rajab,Muhammad Rashid,Stephen Mwaka(c),Abang Rwothmio Cromwell, Abram Ogussi, Victor Aweko, Jackson Nsubuga.
Onduparaka: Alionzi Nafian (Gk), Alex Gasper Ariko, Sabir Simba, Keems Offeke, Ibrahin Faisal, Totoh Tonardo, Ceasar Olega, Gadaffi Wahab Adjumai, Gaddafi Gadinho, Rashid Agau