Uganda Premier League
SC Villa vs Mbarara City FC
Mandela National Stadium, Namboole
Wednesday, 04-09-2019 @8pm
NAMBOOLE – SC Villa are far from the side that once dominated Ugandan football, winning a record 16 title in the process.
In the past few years, they have gone from title contenders to fighting for places on the log.
Last season, the Jogoos spent the better half of it close to the relegation zone and had to wait until match-day 29 to retain their top-flight status.
After some optimism at the start of this season, it has all started to fall apart once again.
On opening day, Villa lost 1-0 against newly promoted Kyetume at Namboole.
In the aftermath of the result, fans started asking for head coach-Edward Kaziba to step down and some sections went ahead to attack the gaffer during the subsequent training sessions leading up to the Mbarara game.
The situation is not expected to improve instantly as Villa do not have the physical resources to curb it.
The players at Villa are those that were deemed surplus to requirements elsewhere and training are not done at a proper pitch as Villa Park is partially under demolition.
With all that said, coming up against Mbarara City may in the end turn out to be a tall order for the Jogoos.
The Ankole Lions are ridding high in confidence after beating Proline 3-0 on opening weekend.
Despite not playing at their home in Kakyeka, it is a result that did not happen by surprise as Mbarara has been one of the best five side in the country in the last year or two.
The Ankole Lions finished 5th last season and played some eye-catching football throughout the campaign.
They may have lost their head coach Livingstone Mbabazi but in interim-Brian Ssenyondo, they have a youth coach who is willing to take the chance on fast, possession based and entertaining football. A brand that seems to suit the players currently at the club.
The Ankole Lions will go into the game banking on star-player Paul Mucureezi.
The former KCCA FC forward scored twice in the win over Proline and if he replicates such form, Villa will be in a whole lot of trouble.
Match Facts
This will be the 5th meeting between the two sides ever since Mbarara made their latest return to the top tier in 2017.
In the last four match-ups, SC Villa have won two, Mbarara one and the other ended in a draw.
Both of Villa’s wins have come at home, including a 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture last season.
Villa head into the game having scored at least a goal in each of the two sides previous meetings.
The other games on Wednesday
-Proline FC vs Onduparaka FC @4pm
-Police FC vs Bul FC
