Arua Hill face Tooro United in the StarTimes FUFA Big League final on Tuesday 17 August at 3PM.

The game will be broadcast by StarTimes and will show live at Sanyuka TV.

How they got here

Arua Hill

Record: W8 D6 L0 F25 A7 Pts30

Top scorer: Caesar Okhuti, Alfred Leku (5)

Match Day 1: 3-1  vs Blacks Power

Match Day 2: 3-0 vs Kataka FC

Match Day 3: 0-0 vs Maroons

Match Day 4: 1-1 vs Mbale Heroes

Match Day 5: 1-0 vs Calvary FC

Match Day 6: 2-2 vs Gaddafi FC

Match Day 7: 2-0 vs Paidha Black Angels

Match Day 8: 1-1 vs Blacks Power

Match Day 9: 2-2 vs Kataka FC

Match Day 10: 2-0 vs Maroons

Match Day 11: 2-0 vs Mbale Heroes

Match Day 12: 2-0 vs Calvary FC

Match Day 13: 0-0 vs Gadaffi FC

Match Day 14: 4-0 vs Paidha Black Angels

Form: WWWDW

Elgon Group: Winners

Tooro United

Record:W9 D4 L1 F20 A11 Pts31

Top scorer: Marvin Oshaba (9)

Match Day 1: 2-1  vs Water FC

Match Day 2: 1-0 vs Proline FC

Match Day 3: 0-4 vs Nyamityobora FC

Match Day 4: 2-0 vs Terrazo & Tiles FC

Match Day 5: 3-1 vs Ndejje University FC

Match Day 6: 1-0  vs Luwero United FC

Match Day 7: 2-2 vs Kigezi Home Boyz FC

Match Day 8: 0-0 vs Water FC

Match Day 9: 1-0 vs Proline FC

Match Day 10: 2-0 vs Nyamityobora FC

Match Day 11: 3-2 vs Terrazo & Tiles FC

Match Day 12: 0-0 vs Ndejje University FC

Match Day 13: 0-0 vs Luwero United FC

Match Day 14: 1-0 vs Kigezi Home Boyz FC

Form: WWDDW

Rwenzori Group: Winners

Team news

Arua Hill team travelled with 19-man squad who remain fully fit for the finale after holding training yesterday at Kyebando and today in the Njeru venue, with the exception of one player who tested positive for Covid-19.

The Federation communicated 20 as their standard prerequisite for traveling squad but Borine named 19 for classified reasons.

One of team’s top scorer, Alfred Leku was excluded as he had to serve his match ban following a red card he obtained during the second last game against Gadaffi FC in Kyabazinga Stadium-Bugembe in June 9, 2021.

A shocking exclusion is regular figure Rashid Agau who started 13 of the 14 matches before he came as a substitute in the last match against Paidha Blacks Angels.

Skipper Caesar Okhuti is fully fit and ready to lead the team in a match that is likely to be one of his last as he earlier in the season communicated he would have to listen to his body.

Whirlwind striker Brian Ade is likely to start besides Okhuti or  come off from bench to impact the play.

Note: We won’t know any of the above is correct until the kick-off but with most of the lads available, there is plenty in Borine’s disposal to choose from.

Arua Hill squad: Franco Oringa, Richard Anyama, Dan Birikwalira, Rashid Muhamed, Simba Sabir, Mike Kawooya, Aggrey Atandu, Aggrey Kiirya, Rashid Yakin, Paddy Muhumuza, Allan Mugalu, Sanday Aleni Benard, Rajab Kakooza, Rashid Kawawa, Emmanuel Mutebi, Baden Ogama Mujahid, Gadaffi Gadinho, Caesar Okhuti, Brian Ade

Edward Golola’s team looks unaltered and undisturbed. He is expected to front his usual forwards and attackers including the most lethal Marvin Oshaba.

Tooro United squad: Given LLukyamuz, Rashid Lubega, Huud Kakooza, Gerald Lubanja, Lawrence Kigonya, Julius Pillot, Eric Akol, Abdul Bogere, Marvin Oshaba, Pato Sserunjoji, Isaac Mpagi, Amiri Segoma, Eddy Kawoya, Abdul Karim Kasule, Musa Ssajjabi

BORINE OLIMA AHMED: THE LADS ARE PAST QUALIFICATION EUPHORIA

“Before the league started, the team had plans; one of the plans was to get promoted which they already achieved and the second one is now the trophy.

“Both are important and their importance is determined by season, this season is now for the trophy and all eyes are transfixed on it.

“Winning the trophy will be a great motivation, source for confidence for the team and a driving force to a good premier league season start and season.

“We’ve trained for a week where we’ve been driving their minds to medal through emphasizing the importance. The boys have now moved on from the qualification euphoria and are hungry to touch the trophy.

“We have watched the opponent train and there is no need for panic because it’s the same squad and Big League side. Gaddafi gave us tough time and so that prepared us so well for such a team as Tooro United.

“We are disappointed with the news of a Covid-19 case because we didn’t expect that. Nevertheless, the team has quality and depth and there is still option to choose from.  

“There is no injury scare, everybody is focused and looking forward to the day.”

CAESAR OKHUTI: NO NEED TO RELAX BECAUSE THE TROPHY HAS A PRICE

“This trophy comes with price for the winner which to me will be so beneficial to us and our families.

“No need to relax, there is need to work extra hard which I believe is achievable with the preps which we had.

“There  is no need to panic because I believe we are a better side and more organized and we’ll prepared team.”

BRIAN ADE: WE WANT TO WIN IT FOR FANS

“We are in good shape after working very hard for the finals. Everybody is fit and the motivation is really to win it for the fans, for the region and for the skipper who has inspired most of us.

“There is no need to panic because it’s a final or because we are playing against a team with good strikers, we truly respect them but we are not worried.”

JOLIKIBA’S VIEW

A season marked by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic that delayed the commencement of the league until 2021, with initially the authority allowing maximum of 200 fans before disallowing with total ban imposed in the effort to manage the spread of the virus.

The season finally kicked off in March 25, but characterized with congestion of fixtures, abrupt amendment of fixtures and long distance travels despite the bumper to bumper match days.

Both Arua Hill and Tooro United however managed to play to the best of their abilities as they won their respective groups before they earned the right to the top flight football.

They deservedly will faceoff tomorrow on the artificial turf of FUFA Technical Centre-Njeru in what, if you like will be icing on the cake for whoever wins the day.

Boosted by an unbeaten record in regular season, Arua Hill will not want to settle for anything less.

With what is at stake, this meeting is likely to be more cagey affair but if Arua Hill can reproduce the level of maturity and quality inspired by the thirst to excel during the regular season the cup should be theirs.

Of course Tooro has what takes, having been here before and gained more experience but this time around their side looks a one man show whose performer is  Marvin Oshaba. Once the attacking midfielder is well handled, it’s like oxygen line of Edward Golola’s team is cut off.

With Arua Hill’s defence the most solid, having only conceded seven times, and having no challenge finishing the other side, with goals flowing from variety of position and players, all it takes is one of them to show up, the trophy surely will come to Arua.