Nkumba University are a pioneer in the Pepsi University Football League with their best performance in 2016 when they finished as Runners up to then champions Kampala University.

The following season in 2017, Nkumba beat Gulu University in the third place play-off to walk of with bronze. The side has since fallen on hard times failing to make it past the group stages in the last two seasons.

Prior to the 2017 meeting at Namboole, the two sides also met in the 2016 quarter finals which Nkumba won after a goalless draw in Gulu and 1-0 win in Entebbe.

New Nkumba coach Bbosa Sulaiman who replaced long serving coach Ssebuliba Patrick however believes that now is the time for Nkumba to return to their glory days.

“Nkumba has always been a powerhouse in football and i believe we can return to those days when we would seriously compete for the trophy.” Bbosa said.

Gulu university coach Okello Calvin is also eyeing a return to the glory days of 2016 and 2017 when the side used to qualify for the knock-out stages of the competition.

“Previously we have been qualifying for the knock-out stages of the competition and our objective this year is to atleast do the same.” Okello said.