Since taking charge of Police FC, Matia Lule has overseen two league matches that suggest a promising turnaround for the Kavumba-based side. A convincing 2-0 home victory over Mbarara City followed by a hard-fought goalless draw away to BUL has reignited hope and optimism among the Police faithful and within the squad.
Today, Lule’s team returns to action at their home ground to face FUFA Big League outfit Kataka FC in a high-stakes Uganda Cup quarter-final encounter. Despite being relatively new in the dugout and navigating a difficult league season, Lule views the Uganda Cup as a golden opportunity for silverware.
“We have to give everything to reach the semi-finals. This is a big chance to get back to the final, and who knows, we might even win the Cup,” the experienced tactician remarked.
Police FC secured their place in the last eight with a narrow 1-0 victory over Maroons in Luzira, thanks to a decisive strike by Denis Kalanzi. It’s also worth recalling that the club made it to the Uganda Cup final in 2023 under Angelo Lonyesi, where they narrowly lost to Vipers.
Now playing at home and facing a second-tier opponent, Police will be confident of progressing further, especially given their strong home record.
They have only lost twice in 13 league matches at Kavumba this season, with both defeats coming against top-tier sides Vipers and Kitara. Key players such as Kalanzi, Reagan Male, Umar Kasumba, and Gaddafi Kacancu are expected to play pivotal roles in today’s match.
On the other end, Kataka FC enter the contest as underdogs but are by no means lacking in belief. Their head coach, Godfrey Toldo, remains confident that his side can cause another upset, just as they did in the round of 16 against URA.
“We are not new to this stage. We have been here before. Though we fell to Vipers the last time we reached the quarters, this time I believe we can go past Police,” Toldo stated.
Kataka are also chasing promotion to the Uganda Premier League but currently sit eighth in the FUFA Big League, trailing third-placed Gaddafi by nine points, a challenging gap to close.
They come into this match on the back of a morale-boosting 2-1 victory over Kigezi Home Boys. Their confidence is further fueled by their previous round’s giant-killing act, where they stunned the Tax Collectors in a 5-3 penalty shootout at Hamz Stadium Nakivubo.
