Vipers, Villa for top spot

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SOCCER. Vipers midfielder Lwanga appreciates all Villa did for him and says the club still holds a special place in his heart, but emphasises that for today, it will be football business

KAMPALA. Vipers SC and SC Villa come into today’s Azam Uganda Premier League (AUPL) titanic clash at St Mary’s Stadium Kitende heads and shoulders level, despite being five and three places away from leaders KCCA.
Both on four points apiece, one behind KCCA, Miguel da Costa and Wasswa Bbosa’s men know that victory will spring them top of the log with seven points.
Yet such sparring goes beyond table standings. The two are direct opponents for a title Vipers have won only twice and Villa – the record 16-time champions – last touched in 2004, when still managed by ex-Cranes coach Micho Sredojevic.
Whoever wins gets both the points and scores a vital psychological edge, something Tadeo Lwanga - Vipers’ new acquisition – wants to achieve against his former club Villa.
“Of course you can’t easily forget a team which gave you a chance to be their captain,” Lwanga told SCORE, “They also went on to grant me the permission to finish my studies when I had just signed a contract with them. “Although Villa is still at heart, football is football. Expect a more determined Venom.”
Lwanga’s move from Villa was not celebrated by the Jogoos, and they will definitely love to see him on the losing side. Yet that is what is spurring the midfielder, who could partner the returning Moses Waiswa.
“It’s really a very big game to me. Many Villa people have said a lot of negative things about me. How can a captain of the record trophy holders leave for minnows Vipers SC? So, there is a lot to prove that the transfer I made was not a mistake.”
Villa coach Bbosa knows that his strikers must be more clinical than they were in the 1-1 draw against Police, where Allan Kyambadde, George Ssenkaaba and Alex Kitata wasted numerous opportunities.
“We created clear chances but I don’t want to blame any individual,” said Bbosa, who has not had the best of relationship with Villa fans.
Godfrey Lwesibawa scored Villa’s goal in that and Bbosa will be hoping for more. Vipers coach Da Costa will hope Milton Karisa, scorer of the goal against Bul, wears the same boots again with three points at stake.

TODAY’S UPL FIXTURES

Vipers SC vs. SC Villa, 4pm
St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende (Live, Azam TV)
UPDF vs. Express,
Bombo Barracks Grounds, 4.30pm
Kirinya-Jinja vs. Bul
Bugembe Stadium, Jinja - 4.30pm