URA’s Isabirye wary of Villa, not old boy Bengo

When SC Villa and URA met late last year in the Bell Super League, It was a one-all stalemate at Namboole. But what hurt the Villa faithful and intensified then Srdjan Zivojnov’s departure countdown was Jogoos old boy Augustine Nsumba, of all people, spoiling the Blues party late in the second half.

Then, another old boy, Steven Bengo, was lackluster, the midfielder being limited to stray passes and laboured maneuvers.

But in the earlier rounds of the Bell Uganda Cup last year, which game marked Zivo’s first loss, Bengo was in irreverent form, ruthlessly - if not elegantly - putting his ‘former’ Villa to the sword, scoring one and creating the other as URA ran out 3-1 winners.

Since his return to Villa Park a week ago, Bengo has trained all week and is likely to be given a nod at some point by Mike Mutebi against his former side at Lugazi this afternoon. “Bengo is a very good and talented player and we hope he will improve us immensely,” said Villa football director Joseph Kanaaba after the midfielder’s capture.

On current form, however, Bengo is not the other player who used to make defences dance to his tunes effortlessly. Not that Bengo’s skills are in doubt. His former coach Alex Isabirye doesn’t doubt that. “I know Steven and he can do anything to impact a game,” said Isabirye.

“But just as I know him very well, my players also know him and his game. “But I will not worry myself with Steven. I’m more concerned about Villa as a team because they have done well recently, bought new good players, and have a very experienced coach in Mike.”

Villa have scored seven goals in their last two victories, all against bottom side Utoda. URA on the other hand last trounced Fire Masters 4-1 but despite their game against Proline last Friday not taking off after the latter failed to should up, they were later declared winners by a 2-0 scoreline. That result took them to 32 points, one ahead of Express at the summit.

amwanguhya@ug.nationmedia.com