Kitara FC will be aiming to maintain the heat on Uganda Premier League leaders Vipers when they take on regional rivals Buhimba United Saints in a Bunyoro derby on Friday.
The encounter will also mark a historic moment for football in the region as Hoima City Stadium hosts its first-ever competitive match since its completion.
The Royals head into the clash in strong form and sitting second on the table with 43 points. Their narrow 1-0 victory over Mbarara City in the previous round kept them within touching distance of the summit and another win could further tighten the race at the top.
Having previously featured at the venue during its official opening against KCCA in December, Kitara will feel comfortable returning to the stadium as they seek maximum points.
For Buhimba United Saints, the match carries a different kind of urgency. The newcomers are battling to keep their place in the top flight and currently sit 14th on the table with 15 points, only two above the relegation zone. Their latest outing ended in a 1-0 defeat to BUL, leaving them under pressure to pick up points.
Despite their struggles, Buhimba will draw confidence from their earlier victory over Kitara in the first round and will hope to pull off another upset in the derby.
Adding intrigue to the contest is striker Edson Agondze, who switched from Buhimba to Kitara during the mid-season transfer window. The forward could line up against his former teammates as the hosts look to strengthen their attacking options.
