Why Vipers-KCCA tie is now the league glamour fixture
Today reigning league champions Vipers host KCCA at the St. Mary’s Stadium in Kitende in what will be a meeting between the top two sides early this season.
But as recent history suggests, the game has now become the biggest fixture on the domestic scene.
Recent History
Since Express won the league in 2012, the league title has either ended up in Kitende or at Lugogo with KCCA winning four titles since and Vipers winning last year and in 2015.
The Players
The meeting between the two teams this afternoon will also represent the not only some of the biggest names on the domestic scene at the moment but also the in-form players.
This week Cranes coach Sebastien Desabre named 14 local based players in his 30-man squad for the Afcon Qualifier against Cape Verde on November 17th.
Up to 10 players on the squad will come from the two teams with Charles Lukwago, Timothy Awany, Bernard Muwanga, Saddam Juma, Allan Kyambadde and Patrick Kaddu making up the KCCA contigent.
The Vipers delegation meanwhile includes Yayo Lutimba, Taddeo Lwanga, Moses Waiswa and Dan Sserunkuma.
Derrick Nsimbambi and Milton Karisa have meanwhile just moved on and would have added even more numbers.
The two clubs also have some of the brightest prospects in the game too with 11 of the 40 players summoned for the Afcon Under-23 team Kobs team coming from the pair.
These include Allan Okello, Julius Poloto, Mustafa Kizza as well as Bashir Asiku Geoffrey Wasswa and Duncan Sseninde from Vipers.
The Finances
In a league where the majority of clubs struggle to break even the two clubs can also be regarded as financial heavyweights the two clubs have managed to command strong transfer fees in recent years.
In 2016 Vipers sold star-man Farouk Miya for a reported $400,000 while KCCA were reported to have received $130000 from the sale of striker Muhammad Shaban to Raja Casablanca in morocco.
This was in addition to the sales of Derrick Nsimbambi and Joseph Ochaya to Egypt and Zambia respectively.
The inflow is believed to have bankrolled the St. Mary Stadium in Vipers case.
KCCA that is meanwhile still backed by the Jennifer Musisi-led authority can only dream of such a structure at the moment, but have started upgrading their Startimes facility.
Administration
The success on the pitch and financial muscle has mainly also been helped by good administration that the other “giants” including Express, SC Vila and URA have been lacking.
This has helped attract partnerships with corporate companies further strengthening their financial muscle.
Fans
With only KCCA registering success from the original ‘VEK” teams, Vipers have been able to eat into the pair’s fanbase that is further improved by their association with St. Mary’s Kitende.
KCCA on the other hand boast a strong social media presence that when coupled with their recent success makes them an attractive proposition for new fans.
Growing Rivalry
Despite persistent rumours in the off-season, there was no player moving from either side but their growing rivalry was heightened by Vipers’ last minute attempt to resign striker Shaban from under KCCA’S nose.
This also included the Kitende-based side also signing former KCCA captain Tom Masiko.
The previous three meetings between the two teams produced 10 goals with the last two being highly competitive as KCCA won the Uganda Cup final 1-0 in Bukedea while Vipers recorded a 3-2 win in what was virtually a title decider.
Fans will hope for more of the same today.
